ABSTRACT

The present research work deals with the study of microbiological quality of borehole water in Ogboko Ideato South L.G.A, Imo state. The total heterotrophic bacterial count ranged from 5.7x104cfu/ml to 1.30x105cfu/ml, Fungi count was from 2.5x101cfu/ml to 3.6x101cfu/ml. Salmonella Shigella count was from 2.4x104cfu/ml to 6.0x104cfu/ml. the coliform count ranged from 1.19x103cfu/ml to 5.5x103cfu/ml. The bacteria genera isolated were Escherichia coli 4(12.1%), Klebsiella spp 5(15.1%), Proteus spp 5(15.1%), Shigella spp 6(18.1%), Enterobacter spp 2(6.2%), Salmonella spp 8(24.2%), and Citrobacter spp 3(9.2%) with Salmonella spp having the highest occurrence 8(24.2%), followed by Shigella spp 6(18.1%), while Enterobacter spp had the least occurrence 2(6.2%).  The fungi isolated were Aspergillus spp 4(40%), Rhizopus spp 3(30%), Mucor spp 2(20%) and Penicillium spp 1(10%) with Aspergillus spp having the highest occurrence 4(40%) while Penicillium spp had the least occurrence 1(10%).  The finding shows that the water samples did not meet WHO standard for drinking and domestic use and thus should be treated before drinking.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Cover page i

Certification ii

Dedication            iii

Acknowledgements            iv

Table of Contents            v

List of Tables           viii

Abstract ix

CHAPTER ONE:  INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 Background of the study 3

1.2 Aims and objectives of the study 3

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW 4

2.1 Water 4

2.1.1 Sources of water 4

2.1.2 Surface water 4

2.2 Ground water 5

2.2.1 Sources of ground water pollution 5

2.2.2 Survival of pathogens in groundwater 6

2.2.3 Transport in groundwater 6

2.3 Microbiological analysis of water 7

2.3.1 Indicator organisms 7

2.3.2 Coliforms 8

2.3.3 Echerichia coli 8

2.4 Methods of sanitary analysis of water 9

2.4.1 Pour plate technique 9

2.4.2 Membrane filtration method 9

2.4.3 Molecular techniques             10

2.4.4 Membrane techniques 10

2.4.5 Advantages and Disadvantages of the membrane filtration method 10

2.5 Contaminants in water 11

2.5.1 Microbial contaminants 12

2.5.2 Organic chemical contamination 12

2.5.3 Inorganic chemical contamination 12

2.6 Water treatment and purification 13

2.6.1 Sedimentation 13

2.6.2 Coagulation 13

2.6.3 Filtration 14

2.6.4 Chlorination 14

2.6.5 Ozonation 14

2.6.6 Aeration 14

CHAPTER THREE: MATERIALS AND METHODS 16

3.1 Environment of the study 16

3.2 Sample collection 16

3.3 Microbiological methods 16

3.3.1 Media reparation 16

3.4 Determination of bacterial and fungal floral of the water sample 17

3.4.1 Isolation 17

3.4.2 Culture examination 17

3.4.3 Microscopic examination 18

3.4.4 Gram staining 18

3.5 Biochemical tests 18

3.5.1 Catalase test 18

3.5.2 Oxidase test 19

3.5.3 Coagulase test 19

3.5.4 Urease test 19

CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS 20

CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 25

5.1 Discussion 25

5.2 Conclusion 27

5.3 Recommendation 28

References

         Appendix