ABSTRACT

Water is an essential natural resource for sustainability of life on earth. The aim of this study is to evaluate the bacteriological quality and safety of the two major streams in Ihitte Uboma LGA; Nze stream and Agudibia stream. A total of 6 Samples were collected during the sampling period. Point 1 (P1) which was the upstream, point 2 (P2) which was midstream, point 3, (P3) which was the downstream. Samples for bacteriological analysis were collected into sterile clean glass bottles and were labeled before sample collection. Collected samples were transported immediately to the laboratory for bacteriological examinations. The bacteria isolated according to morphological and biochemical characteristics include: Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus Proteus sp and Bacillus species. The total viable count of water samples collected from upstream point ranged from 1.2 x10⁴ to 9.0 x 10³cfu/ml, Samples collected from Stream 2 ranged from 1.6 x 10² to 2.4 x 10³cfu/ml. The incidence occurrence of the isolates revealed that E.coli and Bacillus spp had the highest incidence occurrence while Proteus sp and Staphylococcus aureus had the lowest incidence occurrence. The Most Probable Number of samples, Nze stream (Stream 1) had MPN values (180+) beyond the recommended range. While the MPN of the second stream (Agudibia stream) and control sample was within the acceptable range (3 and 0 respectively). Conclusively, the microbial qualities of the evaluated Nze stream water was averagely poor, and are certainly not fit for human consumption. From the results, Agudibia stream can be used for drinking and other domestic purposes while Nze stream did not meet the criteria. Water from both streams must be processed adequately before usuage.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page                                                                                                                                i

Certification                                                                                                                            ii

Dedication                                                                                                                               iii

Acknowledgements                                                                                                                iv

Table of Contents                                                                                                                   v

Lists of Tables                                                                                                                        vii

Abstract                                                                                                                                   viii

CHAPTER ONE

1.0  Introduction                                                                                                                      1

1.1 Aim and Objectives                                                                                                          4

CHAPTER TWO

2.0  Literature Review                                                                                                                         5

2.1 Water                                                                                                                                5

2.2 Water Quality                                                                                                                   8

2.3 Water Quality Changes                                                                                                         10

2.4 Water Quality Challenges                                                                                         11

2.5 Biological Indicators of Water Quality                                                                               12

2.6 Environmental Significance in Water Quality                                                                 12

CHAPTER THREE

3.0  Materials and Methods                                                                                                     15

3.1  Study Area And Sampling                                                                                               15

3.2 Collection of Water Samples                                                                                            15

3.3 Media Preparation                                                                                                            15

3.4 Microbiological Methods                                                                                                 16

3.4.1 Most Probable Number (MPN)                                                                                     16

3.4.2 Total Viable Plate Count                                                                                               17

3.5       Identification of Isolates                                                                                              17

3.5.1 Gram Staining                                                                                                                17

3.5.2        Biochemical Tests                                                                                                      18

3.5.2.1 Catalase test                                                                                                                18

3.5.2.2  Coagulase test                                                                                                            18

3.5.2.3  Citrate Test                                                                                                                18

3.5.2.4 Motility, Indole, Urease Test (MIU)                                                                          19

3.5.2.5  Triple Sugar iron test                                                                                                 19

3.5.2.6 Oxidase Test                                                                                                               20

3.6            Determination Of Some Physical Properties                                                               20

3.8       Presentation and Analysts Of Results                                                                         20

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0       Results                                                                                                                        21       

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0       Discussion, Conclusion and Recommendation                                                          29       

5.1       Discussion                                                                                                                   29

5.2       Conclusion                                                                                                                  32

5.3       Recommendation                                                                                                        32

References                                                                                                                  33