ABSTRACT

 The microbial qualities of the different drinking water stored in tanks in Goodluck Ebele Jonathan hostels were analyzed in this study. Pure water of 100% purity could be very hard to find in any natural sources of water. It should not contain concentration of microorganisms, parasites or any other substance, which constitutes a potential health risk. However, in practical terms drinking water will always be contaminated with a number of harmless bacteria and numerous chemicals, some ofwhich may even be regarded as beneficial to either its taste or its health giving properties. Goodluck Jonathan Hostels consists ofthree hostels; Female hostel, Male hostel and Postgraduate hostel. Water samples were collected from the storage tanks in the different hostels. Inoculum size of 0.1ml of 102 dilution obtain from serial dilution was inoculated on various culture media (Nutrient agar, MacConkey agar, Salmonella-Shigella agar, Mannitol Salt agar, and Potatoe Dextrose agar) and further subcultured on Nutrient agar after 24 hours. The isolates were further characterized based on their biochemical characteristics. Quantitative examination of microorganisms revealed a total heterotrophic count ranging from 6.33* 104cfu/ml to 9.20x 104cfu/ml. Total coliform plate count ranged from 5.63x104cfu/mI to 7.23* 104cfu/mI while the total Salmonella-Shigella plate count ranged from 5.13><104cfu/ml to 7.0><104cfu/ml. The total fungal plate count ranged from 3.77x104cfu/ml to 4.98xl04cfu/mI. The predominant microorganisms isolated from the water sample were Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus spp., Salmonella spp, Shigella spp, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillusflavus and Fusarium oxysporium. The high levels of microbial count observed in this study revealed that the drinking water is not safe for human consumption. Regular washing of the storage tanks with disinfectants will help to reduce the rate ofcontamination ofthe water tanks and present better potable water for students’ use.