Assessment of chemical and bacteriological quality of pipe-borne water from various locations in Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria

Abstract

Eighteen samples, consisting of six samples each, from three different locations that were 250, 500 and 750 away from the drinking water source in Delta State University, Abraka Campus, were collected and analyzed for their microbial and chemical quality using standard methods. Total viable counts were carried out using the pour plate method, while the most probable number was determined with the multiple tube fermentation technique. The total viable counts increased with distance away from the water source and were high for all the water samples, exceeding the 2.0 Log 10 cfu/ml set limit for drinking water. The isolated organisms were Micrococcus sp., Chromobacterium sp., Streptococcus sp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylocosus aureus. Chemical parameters analyzed were pH, chloride, alkalinity, carbon-dioxide, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, copper, potassium, total hardness, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids and total solids. The results obtained from each parameter were compared with the quality standard for drinking water laid down by the World Health Organisation and Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA), Nigeria. The analyses revealed that there were increases in some of the parameters with distance away from the water source while some of the parameters studied were within the approved standard, others were above or below. It is thus imperative for our drinking water to be properly treated prior to consumption.

Bacteriological assessment of pipe-borne, borehole, and well water sources available to students in Nasarawa State University Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

“…Regrettably, only one out of the nine pipe-borne water sources, with CFU/mL of 0.0 x 10 6 , met the stringent requirements stipulated by World Health Organization (WHO). These findings align with prior studies (Jamalludeen, 2019;Kamal & Hashm, 2021;Okoko & Idise, 2014) where the mean coliform counts in pipe-borne water sources exceeded the predetermined limit of 0 CFU/100 mL.…”

“…The morphological characteristics, gram reaction, and biochemical tests consistently pointed to the presence of gram-negative enteric rods; Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Citrobacter sp, and Enterobacter aerogens among the probable organisms isolated. The finding was in line with previous studies carried out on pipe-borne water, where enteric gram-negative rods wre the predominant organisms identified (Adedeji et al, 2017;Afzal et al, 2021;Bashir et al, 2018;Ibrahim et al, 2013;Jamalludeen, 2019;Kamal & Hashm, 2021;Okoko & Idise, 2014;Shakya et al, 2021). The presence of E. coli, in particular, raised concerns as it is an indicator of potential enteropathogens in water sources, signifying their unsuitability for consumption (WHO, 2008).…”

“…Several studies (Adedeji et al, 2017;Kamal & Hashm, 2021;Nwandkor & Ifeany, 2015) have reported unsatisfactory bacterial qualities of pipeborne water, groundwater, and other natural water sources, with coliform counts significantly exceeding the recommended levels set by the World Health Organization (WHO). In a study conducted by Okoko and Idise (2014), Micrococcus sp., Streptococcus sp., and Pseudomonas sp. were isolated from pipe-borne water sources.…”