BACTERIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF WATER IN TANKS IN HOSTELS

ABSTRACT

This study was to carry out the bacteriological analysis of water in tanks from different hostels of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Umuahia. A total of ten (10) samples were collected from water tank in different hostel in MOUAU using sterile 100 ml glass bottle and was taken immediately to the microbiology laboratory for bacteriological analysis One milliliter of each water sample was inoculated onto nutrient agar plates in duplicates. The spread plate method using a sterile bent glass rod was used. Inoculated plates were incubated at 37°C for 24hr. Those that gave significant growth were identified by gram stain, motility and biochemical tests. The bacteria isolated were Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus spp. and Staphylococcus aureus. Microbial load of the water samples from water tank samples from different hostels in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture. The total bacteria load, shown as the Total viable count (TVC) of sample range from 0.84x105cfu/ml to 1.44x105cfu/ml respectively. Total coliform count (TCC) of sample were 0.72x105cfu/ml to 1.31x105cfu/ml respectively. The percentage occurrence of microorganisms in the water samples from Michael Okpara University of Agriculture. Escherichia coli had percentage occurrence of (43.27), while the least was seen in Streptococcus spp. (4.0%). The microbiological analysis results of water tank samples were not acceptable since they were all found to yield moderate to heavy growth of bacteria, thereby making them unfit for human consumption. In this study most borehole water sources tested were found to be contaminated. The sources of contamination in the area have been identified as coming from human and/or animal wastes.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page                                                                                                                                 i

Certification                                                                                                                             ii

Dedication                                                                                                                              iii

Acknowledgment                                                                                                                   iv

Table of content                                                                                                                      v

List of Tables                                                                                                                         vii

Abstract                                                                                                                                   viii

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 Introduction                                                                                                                      1

1.1 Aim and Objectives                                                                                                          3

CHAPTER TWO

2.0      Literature Review                                                                                                        5                                                                                                         

2.1       Water                                                                                                                          5

2.1.1    Uses of Water                                                                                                             6

2.2       Water Pollution                                                                                                          8

2.2.1    Groundwater Pollution                                                                                               9

2.2.2    Causes of Water Pollution                                                                                          9

2.2.3    Effects of Water Pollution                                                                                          10

2.2.4    Remedies of Water Pollution                                                                                     11

2.3       Water Quality                                                                                                             13

2.3.1    Bacteriological Water Quality                                                                                    14

2.3.2    Indicator Organisms of Water Quality                                                                       15

2.3.2.1 Coliform Organisms (Total Coliform) As Indicator of Water Quality                        16

2.3.2.2 Thermo-Tolerant (Faecal) Coliform Bacteria as Indicator of Water Quality                        17

2.4       Parameters for Bacteriological Analysis of Water                                                     18

2.4.1    Heterotrophic Plate Count                                                                                          18

2.4.2    Total Coliform Plate Count                                                                                        18

2.4.3    Total Faecal Coliform Count                                                                                      19

2.5       Use of Bacteria as Indicators of Pathogenic Organisms in Water                                    19

2.6       Bacteriological Water Analysis                                                                                  20

2.6.1    Methods of Bacteriological Water Analysis                                                              20

2.6.1.1 Multiple Tube Fermentation Method                                                                         21

2.6.1.2 ATP Testing Method                                                                                                  22

2.6.1.3 Plate Count Method                                                                                                    23

2.6.1.4 Membrane Filtration Method                                                                                     24

2.6.1.5 Pour Plate Method                                                                                                      24

2.7  Water Borne Pathogens and Diseases                                                                             24

CHAPTER THREE

3.0. Materials and Methods                                                                                                    27

3.1      Study Area                                                                                                                   27

3.2      Collection of Water Samples                                                                                       27

3.3       Materials Used                                                                                                            27

3.4       Preparation of the Media                                                                                            28

3.5       Bacteriological Analysis of Water Samples                                                               29

3.5.1    Total Bacterial Count                                                                                                 29

3.5.2    Enumeration of Total Coliform                                                                                  30

3.5.2.1 Confirmative Tests                                                                                                     30

3.5.2.2 Completed Tests                                                                                                         30

3.6       Biochemical Tests for Identification of Bacterial Isolates                                         31

3.6.1    Gram Staining Technique                                                                                          31

3.6.2    Catalase Test                                                                                                               31

3.6.3    Coagulase Test                                                                                                           32

3.6.4    Oxidase Test                                                                                                               32

3.6.5    Indole Test                                                                                                                  32

3.6.6    Citrate Test                                                                                                                 33

3.6.7    Motility Test                                                                                                               34

3.6.8    Methyl Red (MR)                                                                                                       34

3.6.9. Urease Test                                                                                                                   34

3.6.10  Carbohydrate Fermentation Test                                                                                35

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 Results                                                                                                                              36

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 Discussion, Recommendation and Conclusion                                                                40

5.1       Discussion                                                                                                                   40

5.2       Conclusion                                                                                                                  41

5.3       Recommendation                                                                                                       42

References                                                                                                                 

LIST OF TABLES

Table                      Title                                                                 Page

     1.                Total bacterial count of different water tank in MOUAU hostel              37

     2.                Biochemical identification of the Bacterial Isolate                                        38 

     3.                Percentage Occurrences of the Bacterial Isolates from different tank in

                         MOUAU                                                                                                       39       

LIST OF FIGURES

Figures                          Title                                                                 Page

1      Percentage Occurrence of Bacterial Isolates From water tank in different hostel in MOUAU                                                                                                                   33

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Water is one of the most abundant and essential resources of man, and occupies about 70% of earth’s surface. It is the major constituent of the lithosphere and atmosphere and it is an essential requirement of all living organisms (Eja, 2002). All living organisms depend on water for their existence and good drinking water with a high quality is essential for the well-being of all people around the world (Pund and Ganorkar, 2013). An adequate supply of water is necessary for a healthy life but waterborne diseases are major causes of death in most parts of the world especially in developing countries due to the consumption of contaminated water which may arise from unclean water reserviors (Fawell and Nieuwenhuijsen, 2003). Water is a basic human right. Without good quality of domestic water supply, man and other living things may eventually die. An adequate, safe and accessible supply must be available to all. Improving access to safe water can result in significant benefits to health. Every effort should be made to achieve a water quality as safe as possible (Cabral, 2010).

Many people struggle to obtain access to safe water. A clean and treated water supply to each house may be the norm in Europe and North America, but in developing countries such as Nigeria, access to both clean water and sanitation are not the rule, and waterborne infections are common (Fenwick, 2006). On a global scale, groundwater represents the world’s largest and most important source of fresh potable water. Groundwater provides potable water to an estimated 1.5 billion people worldwide daily and has proved to be the most reliable resource for meeting rural water demand in the sub-Saharan Africa. Due to inability of governments to meet the ever-increasing water demand, most people in rural areas resort to groundwater sources such as boreholes as an alternative water resource. Thus, humans can abstract groundwater through a borehole, which is drilled into the aquifer and stored in water tanks for industrial, agricultural and domestic use (Palamuleni and Akoth, 2015). Water reservoirs are popular in houses, office buildings, commercial stores and schools. The quality of this source of drinking water has the potential to cause waterborne outbreaks, especially in sensitive and immune compromised subjects (Ali et al., 2011).

However, groundwater resources and reservoirs are commonly vulnerable to pollution, which may degrade their quality. In addition, human activities can alter the natural composition of groundwater through the disposal or dissemination of chemicals and microbial matter on the land surface and into soils, or through injection of wastes directly into groundwater. Industrial discharges, urban activities, agriculture, groundwater plumage and disposal of waste can affect groundwater quality (Bello et al., 2013; Govindarajan and Senthilnathan, 2014). Pesticides and fertilizers applied to lawns and crops can accumulate and migrate to the water tables thus affecting both the physical, chemical and microbial quality of water. For instance, a septic tank can introduce bacteria to water and pesticides and fertilizers that seep into farmed soils can eventually end up in the water drawn from a borehole. Poor sanitary completion of boreholes may lead to contamination of groundwater. There is a strong relationship between water safety and quality and the outbreaks of waterborne illnesses due to the occurrence of E. coli O157 in the water. A study showed that E. coli could survive up to 25ºC in dechlorinated water because household water pipes and water tanks are, usually, covered and in a cool, warm area. A solution to this problem is the importance of chlorinating the household water pipes and tanks at least twice a year might improve the quality and safety of water, and reduce the possibility of E. coli survival and transmission through the use of water. A study reported the storing treated potable or drinking water in household tanks might lead to post-treatment contamination, introducing coliform bacteria and possible opportunistic pathogens into the water supply (Bello et al., 2013).

Good water quality of water tanks is important in many settings, including those found for all drinking water systems, food production and bathing activity. In water systems with inadequate quality control and sanitation, water could act as a vehicle for pathogenic microorganisms that originate from the faeces of wildlife including birds, livestock and pet animals, as well as humans (Grøndahl-Rosado et al., 2014). Globally, huge efforts are put into improving and monitoring water safety, but still it is estimated that 1.1 billion people have water sources regularly contaminated with faecal microorganisms. Hence, periodic analysis and proper sanitation of water storage tanks are required to maintain adequate water safety in the society (Bain et al., 2014). To assess bacteriological water quality in an easy and reproducible way, standard methods (e.g. ISO – the International Organization for Standardization) have been developed. Such methods apply detection of certain groups of bacteria that function as indicators for faecal contamination, a principle that had already been suggested in the 19th century (Svanevik and Lunestad, 2015).

The rationale for examination of faecal indicator bacteria in water is as follows: (i) they do not inhabit the aquatic environment naturally, (ii) they are initially abundant in faeces from warm-blooded animals, (iii) if they are not present, it is unlikely that other harmful organisms of faecal origin will be present, and hence the water is safe, and (iv) if they are present, there is the possibility that other potentially harmful microorganisms of faecal origin are present, and hence the water cannot be considered safe. The most commonly used groups of indicator organisms include coliforms, thermo-tolerant coliforms, Escherichia coli and enterococci. However, the enterococci are known to survive better in the environment and may therefore be an indicator for older faecal contamination (Noble et al., 2004). The criteria for water quality are set by authorities, e.g. the European Commission (EC) and the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (NFSA), where directives are set for water used for direct human consumption, in preparation of foodstuff and for bathing (Svanevik and Lunestad, 2015).

1.1       Aim and Objectives of the Study

1.1.1    Aim

The study was aimed at carrying out the bacteriological analysis of water in tanks from different hostels of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Umuahia.

1.1.2    Objectives of the Study

1.     To determine the total bacterial counts of the water samples

2.     To determine the total coliform counts (most probable number) of the water samples

3.     To isolate and characterize bacteria from the water samples

4.     To identify the isolated bacteria from the water samples

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