ABSTRACT

This research work is aimed at assessing the quality of ground water (borehole) in Amawom, Ikwuano L.G.A Abia State Nigeria. An investigative study was carried out to determine the bacteriological and physicochemical qualities of borehole water samples in Amawom. Ten water samples were collected randomly from ten selected borehole with Amawom village. In the study, total heterotrophic bacteria and total coliforms were determined using pour plate method and multiple tube/most probable number (MPN) methods respectively. Identifications of isolates were done using standards methods based on cultural, morphological characteristics and a battery of biochemical tests. The identified organisms (and their percentage occurrence) include: Klebsiella spp. (100%), Enterobacter spp. (90%), Vibrio cholera (60%), S. aureus (80%), Salmonella spp. (60%), and E. coli (70%). In this study, the total heterotrophic bacteria count of the samples analyzed ranged from 2.5 x 103 to 8.1 x 103 CFU/ml. The results obtained from this study showed that faecal coliform bacteria were present in thirty percent (30%) of the samples analyzed while all the samples contained coliform bacteria with counts ranging from 0 to 2.0 x 103 CFU/ml for faecal coliform and 7 to 49 MPN/100ml for total coliforms. The physicochemical analysis was also carried out on selected (representative) borehole samples. The parameters determined and their ranges include: pH (6.84-7.03), temperature (all 28.2 0C), conductivity (33.2-54.4 uS/cm), turbidity (all 0.1 NTU), TDS (14-51.2 mg/L), TSS (1-2 mg/L), chloride (2-6 mg/L), DO (4-6 mg/L), BOD (0.4-0.8 mg/L), COD (0.9-1.3 mg/L), nitrate (5.3-7.5 mg/L), phosphate (0.02-0.15 mg/L), sulphate (1-1.4 mg/L) and total iron (0.22-0.7 mg/L). Lead and mineral oil were less than detectable limit. The investigation in this study suggested that not all boreholes waters are safe for consumption and were of poor bacteriological qualities which are indication of health risk to the inhabitants of the geographical location (Amawom) which may be as a result of improper construction/drilling of the boreholes or contamination of the storage tanks. There is need for the treatment of water from these boreholes before use in order to reduce the risk of infection. Physicochemically, the borehole samples were considered potable.  

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Title page i

Certification ii

Dedication iii

Acknowledgements iv 

Table of contents v

Abstract ix

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study 1

1.2 Need and Objectives of the Study 5

1.3 Justification 5

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Water 7

2.2 Sources of Water 7

2.2.1 Groundwater 8

2.2.2 Surface Water 9

2.2.3 Water Obtained from Desalination 9

2.3 Borehole 9

2.3.1 Contaminants Transport in Groundwater (Borehole Water) 10

2.4 Water Quality and Health 10

2.5 Microbial Hazards Associated with Drinking-Water 11

2.5.1 Waterborne Infections 12

2.5.2 Persistence and Growth in Water 14

2.6 Occurrence of Pathogens in Drinking-Water 14

2.6.1 Bacterial Pathogens 15

2.6.1.1 Vibrio 15

2.6.1.2 Staphylococcus aureus 17

2.6.1.3 Shigella 17

2.6.1.4 Salmonella 18

2.6.1.5 Pseudomonas aeruginosa 19

2.6.1.6 Legionella 20

2.6.1.7 Klebsiella 21

2.6.1.8 Helicobacter pylori 22

2.6.1.9 Escherichia coli pathogenic strains 23

2.6.1.10 Campylobacter 24

2.7 Indicator and index Organisms 26

2.7.1 Total Coliform Bacteria 27

2.7.2 Escherichia coli and Thermotolerant Coliform Bacteria 28

2.7.3 Heterotrophic Plate Counts 30

2.7.4 Intestinal Enterococci 30

2.7.5 Clostridium perfringens 31

2.7.6 Other Indicator Organisms 32

2.8 Physicochemical Water Quality Parameters 32

2.8.1 Physical parameters 32

2.8.2 Chemical parameters 34

2.9 Water Treatment and Purification 37

CHAPTER THREE: MATERIALS AND METHODS

3.1 Study area 39

3.2 Collection of Samples 39

3.3 Preparation of Culture Media and Diluent 40

3.4     Bacteriological Quality Determination of the Borehole Water Samples 41

3.4.1   Total Bacterial Count 41

3.4.2     Total Coliform Count 41

3.4.2.1 Presumptive test 42

3.4.2.2Confirmed Test 42

3.4.2.3 Completed Test 43

3.4.3 Faecal Coliform Count 43

3.4.4 Isolation of Purified Culture and Enumeration of Bacterial Isolate s 43

3.4.5   Characterization of Bacterial Isolates 43

3.4.5.1     Morphological Growth and Identification of Isolates on Media 43

3.4.5.2 Biochemical Tests for Identification of Bacteria Isolates 44

3.5 Determination of Physico-Chemical Properties of the Water Samples 46

3.5.1 pH and Temperature 47

3.5.2 Total Hardness 47

3.5.3 Alkalinity 47

3.5.4 Electrical Conductivity (Instrumental Method) 47

3.5.5 Total Solids (TS), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and Suspended Solids (SS) 47

3.5.6 Turbidity 48

3.5.7 Chloride 48

3.5.8 Iron 49

3.5.9 Colour, Odour and Taste 49

CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS 50

CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION  

5.1     Discussion 56

5.2 Conclusion 58

5.3 Recommendation 59

REFERENCES 61