An Assessment of Water Quality Index and Some Enteric Bacteria Characteristics of Ossiomo River, Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The assessment of water quality index is essential to investigate the usefulness of any water source. This study arms to assess the water quality index (WQI) and bacterial loads of Ossiomo River, Edo State, Nigeria. Water samples were collected in triplicate from January, 2021 – June, 2021, for physiochemical and bacteriological analyses using standard analytical procedures including pour plate and most probable number techniques. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was carried out using antibiotic disc diffusion method. The results of Water Quality Index values ranged from 275.74 – 357.55 mg/l. Total heterotrophic bacterial counts ranged between 1.1±0.0 – 9.1±2.1×103cfu/ml while the mean coliform counts ranged from 23-201 MPN/100 ml. A total Four (4) bacterial isolates were found and identified as Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescens and Klebsiella varricola. The percentage frequency of the bacterial isolate showed Salmonella enterica 9(26.5) as the highest occurring bacterial while the least was revealed for Escherichia coli 5(14.7). ceftriaxone 100%, gentamycin 100%, ciprofloxacin 100%, azithromycin 80%, pefloxacin 75%, oflaxacin 81%, cefuroxime 94% and ceftazidine 60% were effective drugs for the treatment of illnesses caused by these bacteria isolates whereas, augmentin 0% and nitrofurantoin 0% were non-effective. Ossiomo river different levels of contaminations with chemical agents as well as organic contaminants responsible for water associated diseases among consumers hence; urgent attention must be given adequate treatment prio to consumption to advert water borne illnesses.