Journal of Applied Biosciences (J. Appl. Biosci.) [ISSN 1997 - 5902]
Volume 32: 1964 - 1976. Published August 9, 2010.
Assessment of quality of drinking water sources in the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo state, Nigeria
Oparaocha E.T1, Iroegbu, O.C1, *Obi, R.K2
11Department of Public Health Technology, Federal University of Technology Owerri, PMB 1526, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
2Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, PMB 1526, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
*Corresponding author’s email: robertobi_2003@yahoo.ca
ABSTRACT
Objective: Concern over exposure to drinking water contaminants and the resultant adverse effect on human health has prompted several studies evaluating the quality of drinking water sources. The present study is aimed at assessing the quality of ground water and packaged water supply in the Federal University of Technology Owerri, South Eastern Nigeria.
Methodology and results: The study was carried out between May and July, 2009. The standard plate count method was used for the analysis, which involved serial doubling dilutions of the respective water samples. All the water sources sampled were within WHO physico-chemical standard for drinking water except for the slightly elevated levels of phosphate ions. The findings revealed that three of the samples were contaminated with bacterial pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus (in 50% of samples), Streptococcus faecalis, Bacillus sp., and E. coli (in 50%) of samples.The total heterotrophic plate count ranged from 1.5×105-5.4×106CFUml-1 with a mean of 1.9×106CFUml-1, while the total coliform plate count gave a range of 1.5×105-3×105 cfu/mlwith a mean of 2.3×105CFUml-1. Faecal coliforms were found in (50% of the samples) with a mean of 6×104 CFU/100ml. Conclusion and application of results: A thorough treatment of the boreholes is recommended and this should focus on the elimination of coliform bacteria so as to prevent an epidemic of water related diseases.
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