ANALYSIS OF SELECTED BOREHOLE FILTERED SAMPLES IN IJEBU-ODE, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the microbial and physiochemical quality of common borehole water filter installations. Ten (10) borehole filter samples were collected from private homes in Ijebu-Ode, Southwestern Nigeria. These were analyzed using standard procedures. Antibiotic susceptibility of isolates was determined using the standard disc diffusion method. The temperature o oand pH range of filter samples recorded was 27.6 – 28.9C and 6.09 – 6.90C respectively. Total dissolved solid, total suspended solid and total dissolved oxygen of filter samples recorded ranged 3 3between 10 - 55mg/L, 0.5 x10 - 17.14 x 10mg/L and 4.7 - 9.7mg/L respectively. Chemical oxygen demand ranged from 9.5 - 13.25mg/L while biochemical oxygen demand ranged from 4.5 - 8.5mg/L. Total heterotrophic count, Salmonella-Shigella count and Escherichia coli count ranged from 16 x 3 5 3 5 3 510 - 52 x10, 0 x 10 - 12 x 10 and 0 x 10 - 12 x10 CFU/mL respectively. Faecal coliform count 3 5ranged from 0 x 10 - 12 x10 CFU/mL. Nine bacteria isolated and identified includes: Escherichia coli, Klebsiella species, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas species, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus species, Bacillus cereus, Enterobacter species and Salmonella species. Escherichia coli was sensitive to all antibiotics, except augmentin. The highest level of resistance was exhibited by Enterobacter sp. This study revealed that the borehole water filter from Ijebu-Ode is of poor microbial and physiochemical quality. Further work needs to evaluate the filter composition and quality. Disinfection of water in storage tanks before distribution is strongly recommended as a short term solution.