ASSESSMENT OF THE MICROBIAL AND PHYSIOCHEMICAL QUALITIES OF UMUOSORO STREAM IN NNONO OBORO, IKWUANO L.G.A OF ABIA STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

Assessment of the microbial and physicochemical qualities of Umuosoro stream in Nnono Oboro was carried out. Three sample water were collected from three stations of the stream. Pour plate techniques was employed. The total heterotrophic bacterial count ranged from 7.6×103 cfu/ml - 1.61×104 cfu/ml, Salmonella-shigella count ranged from 1.2S×102 cfu/ml -2.3×102 cfu/ml, E. colicount ranged from 1.8×103 cfu/ml -3.2x103 cfu/ml, fungalcount ranged from 0.9×103cfu/ml -1.3x103 cfu/ml, coliform counts  ranged from 2.4×10 3cfu/ml - 3.6×103 cfu/ml, Vibrio cholerae count ranged from 0.4×102cfu/ml - 0.8×102 cfu/ml. The bacterial isolates and their percentage occurrence are Escherichia coli11(15.94%), Staphylococcus aureus 16(23.19%), Klebsiella species 4(5.79%), Proteus mirabilis 8(11.59%), Enterobacter species 9(13.04%), Streptococcus species 3(4.35%),Salmonellaspecies 6(8.69%), and Vibriocholerae 12(17.39%). The fungal isolates and their percentage of occurrence are Aspergillus species 7(36.84%),Rhizopusspecies 1(5.26%) and Saccharomyces species 11(57.89%). The values of physicochemical parameters of the water samples were as follows: pH 7.6, total hardness 15.48-30.07mg/L, temperature 26.8-29°C, total dissolved solids  215-420mg/L, Alkalinity 12.6-34.00mg/L Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) 2.76-4.0mg/L, Nitrate 23 - 42mg/l, phosphate 2.4-8.06mg/L, Sulphate 211-248mgL, Calcium 18.40-23.14mg/L, total suspended solids 72-140mg/L, turbidity 0.01-0.42mg/L, colour and odour of the stream water samples were not objectable (odourless). The microbial  results of this stream shows that it was contaminated and needs to be treated before human consumption.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page                                                                                              i

Certification                                                                                        ii

Dedication                                                                                          iii

Acknowledgement                                                                             iv

Table of Contents                                                                                v

List of Tables                                                                                      viii

Abstract                                                                                              i x

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION                    

1.1 Aims and Objective                         3

1.2 Problem                                          3

1.3 Justification                                                                                 4

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW                                           

2.1 Water                                                           5

2.2 Sources of Water                                                             6

2.2.1 Surface Water                                             6

2.2.2 Ground Water                                                                  6

2.2.3 Atmospheric Water                                               7

2.3 Water Quality Assessment                                           7

2.3.1 Physical Qualities of Water                                7

2.4 Chemical Qualities of Water                                      10

2.4.1  Cations                                                               10

2.4.2 Anions                                                                                    13

2.5 Microbiological Qualities of Water                            14

2.5.1Indicator Organisms                                         14

CHAPTER THREE: MATERIALS AND METHODS                                                                       

3.1 Study Area                                                  17

3.2   Sample Collection                                            17

3.3 Media Preparation                                       19

3.4 Microbiological Analysis                                                 19

3.5 Enumeration of Fungi and Bacteria                              20

3.6 Identification and Characteristics of Isolation                          20

3.7 Biochemical Test                                                  22

3.8 Carbohydrate Utilization Test                            25

3.9 Physiochemical Analysis                                                           26

3.9.1. Determination of pH                                                  27

3.9.2. Temperature                                                       27

3.9.3. Total Dissolved Solid                                                                   27

3.9.4 Total Dissolved Oxygen                                     27

3.9.5. Total Hardness                                    28

3.9.6. Alkalinity                                                   28

3.9.7. Determination of sulphate                                    28

3.9.8. Determination of Nitrate                                    28

CHAPTER FOUR:RESULTS        

4.0 Results                                                                       31

CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 Discussion                                                              38

5.2 Conclusion                                                                               40

5.3 Recommendation                                                 41

REFERRENCES

APPENDIX                                                                                           

LIST OF TABLES

Table    Title                                                                       Page

1    Mean Counts of Microorganisms Isolated From Umuosoro Stream Water.                  31

2 Bacterial isolates and Their Percentage Occurrence                 33

3Fungal Isolates and their Percentage of Occurrence              34

4    Physiochemical analysis of the water sample           37

CHAPTER ONE

1.0       INTRODUCTION

The lack of safe drinking water and adequate sanitation measures lead to a number of diseases such as cholera, dysentery, salmonellosis and typhoid, and every year millions of lives are claimed in developing countries. Diarrhea is the major cause for the death of more than 2 million people per year world-wide, mostly children under the age of five. It is a symptom of infection or the result of a combination of a variety of enteric pathogens (ANON, 2000).

The evaluation of potable water supplies for coliform bacteria is important in determining the sanitary quality of drinking water. High levels of coliform counts indicate a contaminated source, inadequate treatment or post-treatment deficiencies (Mathew et al.1984). Many developing regions suffer from either chronic shortages of freshwater or the readily accessible water resources are heavily polluted (Lehloesa and Muyima, 2000). Microbiological health risks remain associated with many aspects of water use, including drinking water in developing countries (Craun, 1986), irrigation reuse of treated wastewater and recreational water contact(Grabow, 1991). It has been reported that drinking waters supplies have a long history of association with a wide spectrum ofmicrobial infections (Grabowet al., 2000).

Water of good drinking quality is of basic importance to human physiology and man’s continued existence depends very much on its availability (Lemikanra, 1999; FAO, 1997). The provision of potable water to rural and urban population is necessary to prevent health hazards associated with poor drinking water (Nikoladze and Akastal 1989; Lemo, 2002). A significant proportion of the world’s population use potable water for drinking, cooking, personal and home hygiene (WHO, 2004).

Before water can be described as potable, it has to comply with certain physical, chemical and microbiological standards, which are designed to ensure that the water is potable and safe for drinking (Tebutt, 1983). Potable water is defined as water that is free from disease producing microorganisms and chemical substances deleterious to health (Ihekoronye and Ngoddy, 1985).

Water is the most common solvent for many substances and it rarely occurs in its pure nature

(Edema et al., 2001). Water can be obtained from a number of sources, among which are streams, lakes, rivers, ponds, rain, springs and wells (Okonkoet al. 2008).

Unfortunately, clean, pure and safe water can exist only briefly in nature and immediately polluted by prevailing environmental factors aided by human activities. Water from most sources is therefore unfit for immediate consumption without some sort of treatment (Okonkoet al. 2008).The consequences of waterborne disease –diarrhea, stomach cramps etc, have been well established but nitrate contamination just as deadly, consequent to the realization of potential health hazard that may result from contaminated drinking water from any source is therefore of primary importance because of the danger and risk of water borne diseases (Edema et al., 2001). The original sources of many drinking waters are often dirty and rich in aquatic microbes, some of which could be dangerous to man if they enter the human body.

1.1       Aims and Objectives

The main aim of this research is to assess the microbial and  physiochemical  qualities of the stream water used in the community of Umuosoro. Therefore, the primary goal of water quality management from a health perspective is to ensure that consumers are not exposed to doses of pathogens that are likely to cause disease.

The principal objectives of municipal water are the production and distribution of safe water that

is fit for human consumption (Lemikanra, 1999) and to reduce the possibility of spreading water borne diseases to the barest minimum in addition to being pleasant to drink, which implies that it must be wholesome and palatable in all respects (Edema et al. 2000).

1.2       Problem

Lack of access to safe and clean water is looked in the heart of the poverty. Even though the issue of water is observed as a greatest burden because of their social gender roles including collecting water for their household (Ihekoronye and Ngoddy,1985). In many developing countries, availability of water has become a critical and urgent problem and it is a matter of great concern to families and communities depending on non-public water supply system.

Several studies have been carried out to analyze people’s perception and attitude about the drinking water source quality issues and associated problems like sanitation and hygiene services is important to alleviate health effects but it remains below the expected rate of coverage.

1.3       Justification

Creating community awareness of their water supply is one of the options for improving sustainable access (Mbagwu, 2003). Improving the water supply coverage and quality has a number of consequences in addition to the facts that investigating the socioeconomic and other patterns provides guidance for policy makers and those in various agencies implementing projects. It ensures that the projects captures the major points to be considered before installation begins and ensures also the ongoing provision of a service that is fundamental to improve and to enable the stream water users live in life of dignity.

Hence, there is need to ascertain the physical, chemical, and microbiological quality of Umuosoro stream to ascertain whether it is safe for human consumption. This therefore justified as it serves as drinking water and use for other domestic activities in Umuosoro Nnono and the water may be adjusted potable by appearance or by its taste. There is need therefore, to investigate the composition of water as people are not aware of the physiochemical qualities of the water source and may also as a result contain some hazardous processes of water treatment in order to reduce chemicals contaminating and causing problems for man and provide safe drinking water for human consumption.

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