BACTERIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF TAP WATER IN JIGAWA STATE POLYTECHNIC DUTSE, JIGAWA STATE

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Water is essential to the life of all living organisms including microorganisms. It plays an important role in the structure and function of the human body and remains the medium for biological and chemical processes in all living things (Bichi et al., 2002). It constitutes about 70% of the body weight of every healthy adult. From the United Nations records on the World water situation, while 70% of the earth is covered by water, the earth's entire water resources are estimated at 1.5 billion km³ of which 97.5% of this is salt water that cannot be consumed directly (Nwand1kor and Okolo, 2016). Of the remaining 2.5%, almost three -quarters is trapped in glaciers and ice sheets; fresh water accounts for 0.3% of the total water resources. Pure water of 100% purity could be very hard to find in any natural sources of water. It should not contain concentration of microorganisms, parasites or any other substances, which constitutes a potential health risk (Nwand1kor and Okolo, 2016). However, in practical terms drinking water will always be "contaminated" with a small number of harmless bacteria and numerous chemicals, some of which may even be regarded as beneficial to either its taste or its health giving properties. But indeed, water of very good quality should be tasteless, odorless and colorless, with pH of about 7.0. And average man’s intake is about 2.6 liters. The National Agency for food and drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) regulations agree with the World Health Organization (WHO) standards for portable water.

Illnesses ensue from consumption of water contaminated by pathogenic bacteria, viruses, parasites, algae and protozoa, including other aquatic micro-lives. Such illnesses may include diarrhea, salmonellosis (typhoid and paratyphoid fevers), cholera and dysentery. These may present symptoms like nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting, low grade fevers which may begin from two to ten days after drinking the contaminated water. Some pathogenic viruses can also be water-borne, notably those of poliomyelitis, hepatitis A and rotavirus. Parasitic diseases include schistosomiasis, guinea worm infections (dracontiasis) and toxoplasmosis. Among the protozoan diseases frequently encountered are amoebic dysentery, giardiasis and balantidial dysentery. People with toxoplasmosis may have fever, swollen glands and loss or blurring of vision (Anaebonam, 1995).

Unsafe water consumption brings about high infant and child mortality; and for those who survive into adulthood: poor health, loss of productivity and shortened life are amongst the problems likely to arise. Persons with suppressed immune systems (such as HIV/AIDS patients, those who have had organ or bone -marrow transplant or who have had cancer treatment) are at risk from water- borne diseases. For such people, infection may be more, and may become life threatening. Infants, the very elderly and those whose health is fragile due to chronic diseases are also more vulnerable to more serious complications (Bichi et al., 2002).

Drinking water that does not comply with WHO standards may have become contaminated by human or animal faeces, for example, raw sewage entering a water supply during times of flooding has enormous potentials for spreading microbial diseases (Cheesbrough, 2000; Bichi et al., 2002).

Epidemiological investigations of wastewater contaminated drinking water supplies near irrigation sites have provided evidence of infectious disease transmission, according to EPA (1992) report.

Infection of water containing certain organic compounds may result in acute or chronic health effects. The organic make-up of raw water includes naturally occurring humic substances, faecal matter, kitchen wastes, liquid detergents, oils, grease, and other substances that in one way or another become part of the sewage stream that may enter into water. Industrial and residential wastes can contribute significant quantities of synthetic organic compounds. The spreading of slurry and manure has also resulted in infections in human (Watkins and Cameron, 1991). Our area of investigation may be prone to these sources of contamination due to its rate of urbanization. Underground wastewater in communities are polluted by materials from human and industrial activities; underground leakages (of refineries in some areas); untreated effluents from industries (Anaebonam, 1995).

Sotade (2003) reported that about 90% of sewage and 70%% of industrial wastes are discharged, untreated, often polluting the usable water supply. Consequently, at any time, people suffering from water-borne disease occupy more than half of the world's hospitals.

1.2 Aim and Objectives

1.2.1 Aim

The aim of this study is to determine the bacteriological quality of tap water from various locations in Jigawa State Polytechnic Dutse.

1.2.2 Objectives

1.      To isolate pathogenic bacteria present in tap water samples.

2.      To confirm the bacteria isolated from the tap water samples.

1.3. Statement of Problem 

Safe water is necessary for living organism. One of the sources of water upon which man depends on especially in cities is tap water. Tap water is sometimes contaminated with pathogenic bacteria despite the treatment it underwent in water treatment plant. Illnesses ensue from consumption of water contaminated by pathogenic bacteria, viruses, parasites, algae and protozoa, including other aquatic micro-lives. Such illnesses may include diarrhea, salmonellosis (typhoid and paratyphoid fevers), cholera and dysentery. These may present symptoms like nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting, low grade fevers which may begin from two to ten days after drinking the contaminated water. Some pathogenic viruses can also be water-borne, notably those of poliomyelitis, hepatitis A and rotavirus. Parasitic diseases include schistosomiasis, guineaworm infections (dracontiasis) and toxoplasmosis. Among the protozoan diseases frequently encountered are amoebic dysentery, giardiasis and balantidial dysentery. People with toxoplasmosis may have fever, swollen glands and loss or blurring of vision (Anaebonam, 1995).

Unsafe water consumption brings about high infant and child mortality; and for those who survive into adulthood: poor health, loss of productivity and shortened life are amongst the problems likely to arise. Persons with suppressed immune systems (such as HIV/AIDS patients, those who have had organ or bone -marrow transplant or who have had cancer treatment) are at risk from water- borne diseases. For such people, infection may be more, and may become life threatening. Infants, the very elderly and those whose health is fragile due to chronic diseases are also more vulnerable to more serious complications (Bichi et al., 2002; BC-Health Files, 2000). Therefore, there is a need to always check the quality of tap water to ensure its integrity and mitigate the occurrence of water borne infections.

1.4. Justification Of Study

Water supply is the general process required for the provision of water from public water system to individual buildings and subsequent distribution of such water to various parts of such buildings. The water from public supply system to buildings is supplied through pipes. The strength of the pipes, water carrying capacity, life and durability of pipes, joining process, maintenance and repairs affect the quality of water being supplied. Piped water remains susceptible to biological and/or chemical contamination. Portable water supply system requires not only pipes, but many fittings and valves which add considerably to their functionality (Okoko and Idise, 2014). Drinking water system thus provides habitat for microorganisms which are sustained by organic and inorganic nutrients present on the surface of the pipes or in the conveyed water. Maintaining the distribution system will require maintenance and survey procedures to prevent contamination and also remove and prevent the accumulation of internal deposits (Sobsey, 1989). The safety of drinking water therefore depends on a number of factors which include quality and source of water, effectiveness of treatment and integrity of the distribution system that transfer the water to containers. The traditional approach to varying the bacteriological and chemical safety of piped water supply has relied on sampling strategies based on the end product, that is, tap water (Craun et al., 1997). The objectives of this study, therefore, are to determine the bacteriological quality of tap water from various locations in Jigawa State Polytechnic Dutse.

1.5. Scope And Limitation

This study covers the bacteriological analysis of tap water from various locations in Jigawa State Polytechnic Dutse. Fewer sample were worked on because of lack of fund and culture media is expensive.

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