Abstract
In most rural communities, water is consumed without testing its potability and the major sources of water apart from rainfall are surface and river water; in some cases, borehole water. Water samples from surface, river, well and borehole water in different Communities in Khana Local government area was randomly collected and bacteriological analysis was carried out on them. The results showed that the least microbial load was from that of borehole water which had an average microbial load of 1.78 × 103 while river water had the highest microbial load with a mean count of 5.48 × 104. Surface water, however, had the highest total coliform (42.6/100 mL) and faecal coliform count (14.8/100 mL) while borehole water had the least total coliform (4.6/100 mL) and faecal coliform (0) count. Isolation and identification of the isolates showed that Bacillus spp was the most isolated with an occurrence of 7 (23.3%). Other organisms isolated included Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella spp, Salmonella spp, Enterobacter spp, Streptococcus spp, Proteus spp and Escherichia coli. Most of these organisms are gram negative microorganisms and are usually associated with gastrointestinal illness. Proper treatment and surveillance of these water sources should therefore be carried out regularly to prevent public health issues that could be implicated from such unwholesome practice of drinking non-potable water
Highlights
Water is a basic necessity for life, needed by all forms of life including plants and animals and as such a good supply of drinking water must be available to all consumers [1]
The contamination of water in its main source by agricultural, industrial or domestic wastes at certain Water microbiology which is the study of the microorganisms including fungi, bacteria, protozoa and viruses found in water is important in determining the potability of water [5]
Cholera outbreak has been reported in Zimbabwe, India and Nigeria which was caused by the presence of Vibrio cholerae in municipal taps and wells [6], 80% of sicknesses and deaths among children worldwide have been associated with the consumption of unsafe water [7]
Summary
Water is a basic necessity for life, needed by all forms of life including plants and animals and as such a good supply of drinking water must be available to all consumers [1]. It is used in laundry, for agricultural purpose, cooking, etc. Nigeria inclusive, there is little or no supply of water so most residents drill boreholes, buy from water vendors in tanks, dig shallow wells [3]; in some cases, they depend wholly or partially on rainwater The issue with these sources is that often times they are not treated and so do not meet the WHO approved standard for drinking water. Cholera outbreak has been reported in Zimbabwe, India and Nigeria which was caused by the presence of Vibrio cholerae in municipal taps and wells [6], 80% of sicknesses and deaths among children worldwide have been associated with the consumption of unsafe water [7]
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