ABSTRACT

The bacteriological and physico-chemical characteristics were carried out for fifteen boreholes in three selected hospitals in Umuahia. The bacteriological analysis was carried out using the Most Probable Number Technique (Multiple-Tube Technique) for the detection of faecal coliform and subsequently organisms present in the samples of water were identified following the Standard Methods. The identified organisms include: Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus   aureus and staphylococcus epidermidis. The Total Heterotrophic Plate Count (THLPC) gave a range of 1.5 x103-20.0 while the Total Conform Plate Count (TCPC) gave a range of 1 .0 x103-10.5 x103CFU mL-1.The presumptive faecal coliform ranged between 0-180 coliforms 100 mL-1 giving a mean of 18.73 coliforms per 100 mL. E. coli faecal coliforms were detected in 60% of the water samples. The aesthetic properties of the water samples were acceptable in comparison with local and international standards. These results showed that there is need for treatment of these water boreholes by the borehole proprietors and also by simple treatment methods such as boiling and agitation by the consumers.

TABLE OF CONTENT

Title Page i

Declaration ii 

Certification iii

Dedication iv 

Acknowledgements v 

Table of Contents vi 

List of Tables viii 

Abstract ix 

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 1

1.1         Background to the study 1

1.2         Problem statement and Justification 2

1.3         Aims and Objectives 2

1.3.1      Specific objectives 2

1.4         Significance of the study 3 

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW 4

2.1         Bacterial Water Quality 4

2.2         Water Quality Changes 4

2.3  Water Quality Challenges  5

2.4    Biological Indicators of Water Quality  6

2.4.1      Heterotrophic plate counts  6

2.4.2 Thermotolerant coliforms  7

2.4.3  Faecal Streptococci and Enterococci  8

2.4.4 Pathogenic bacteria  9

2.4.4.1   Salmonella spp. 9

2.4.4.2   Shigella spp.  10

2.4.5      Bacterial water quality risk assessment 11

2.4.6      Physico-chemical indicators of water quality        11

2.4.6.1   Hydrogen ion potential – pH 11

2.4.6.2   Turbidity - NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Units) 12

2.4.6.3   Total organic carbon (TOC) 12

2.4.7      Water pollution by organic matter 13

2.5        Common Water Treatment Methods 14

2.5.1     Solar disinfection 14

2.5.2      Chemical water treatment methods 14

2.5.2.1   Alum coagulation 14

2.5.2.2   Chlorine treatment 15

2.5.3      Treatment with plant extracts 15

2.6     Microbial Reduction by Coagulation-Flocculation 16

CHAPTER THREE: MATERIALS AND METHSODS 18

3.1        Sample collection 18

3.2    Media Preparation 18

3.3         Physico-chemical Properties 18

3.3.1      pH 18

3.3.2      Temperature 18

3.3.3      Electrical conductivity 19

3.3.4      Dissolved oxygen 19

3.3.5      Turbidity 19

3.4         Most Probable Number (MPN) of Total and Faecal Coliforms per 100 ml 19

3.4.1      Presumptive test 20

3.4.2      Confirmatory test 20

3.4.3      Completed test 21

3.5         Faecal Coliforms (thermotolerant Escherichia coli) 21

3.5.1      Confirmatory test 21

3.5.2      Completed test    21

3.5.3      Heterotrophic plate counts 22

3.6         Identification of Bacteria 22

3.6.1      Gram staining 22

3.6.2      Oxidase test 22

3.6.3      Motility test 23

3.6.4      Indole test 23

3.6.5      Citrate test 23

3.7         Statistical Analysis 23

CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS 24

CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 28

5.1     Discussion 28

5.2     Conclusion 29

5.3     Recommendations  29

References 30