Assessment of Bacteriological and Physicochemical Status of Well Waters in Emene Enugu, Nigeria

Abstract

Well water is a source of drinking water for many rural as well as sub-urban dwellers but the pollution of this water by bacteriological and chemical contaminants is of public health concern. Hence this study was aimed at accessing the bacteriological quality and physicochemical parameters of well waters located in Emene-Enugu, Nigeria. Water samples were aseptically drawn from ten different wells in Emene-Enugu. Physicochemical parameters such as temperature, pH, turbidity and electrical conductivity were determined using standard methods. Total and fecal coliform counts were also determined using the membrane filtration method. The isolates were also identified using cultural and biochemical tests. Pearson’s correlation was used to determine the relationship between the parameters. Temperature of the well waters ranged from 31.5±0.11 to 33.7±0.11oC while the pH ranged from 6.20±0.01 to 7.40±0.01. Turbidity and conductivity also ranged from 25±0.05 to 150±0.06 NTU and 21±0.58 to 163±0.12µS/cm respectively. Total and fecal coliform counts ranged from 0 to 179±2.31 cfu/100ml and 0 to 58±0.58 cfu/100ml respectively. Bacteria identification revealed the presence of Enterobacter aerogenes, Salmonella enterica, Enterococcus faecalis, Proteus vulgaris, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia and Citrobacter freundii, in the water samples. Turbidity was significantly correlated with temperature, pH and fecal coliform (p = 0.000; r = 0.693, p = 0.000; r = -0.679 and p = 0.000; r = -0.655) respectively. These isolates are potential human pathogens, thus the well waters used in this study are not fit for human consumption and should be properly treated and monitored before domestic use.