ABSTRACT

This study was to carry out the bacteriological analysis of water in tanks from different hostels of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Umuahia. A total of ten (10) samples were collected from water tank in different hostel in MOUAU using sterile 100 ml glass bottle and was taken immediately to the microbiology laboratory for bacteriological analysis One milliliter of each water sample was inoculated onto nutrient agar plates in duplicates. The spread plate method using a sterile bent glass rod was used. Inoculated plates were incubated at 37°C for 24hr. Those that gave significant growth were identified by gram stain, motility and biochemical tests. The bacteria isolated were Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus spp. and Staphylococcus aureus. Microbial load of the water samples from water tank samples from different hostels in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture. The total bacteria load, shown as the Total viable count (TVC) of sample range from 0.84x105cfu/ml to 1.44x105cfu/ml respectively. Total coliform count (TCC) of sample were 0.72x105cfu/ml to 1.31x105cfu/ml respectively. The percentage occurrence of microorganisms in the water samples from Michael Okpara University of Agriculture. Escherichia coli had percentage occurrence of (43.27), while the least was seen in Streptococcus spp. (4.0%). The microbiological analysis results of water tank samples were not acceptable since they were all found to yield moderate to heavy growth of bacteria, thereby making them unfit for human consumption. In this study most borehole water sources tested were found to be contaminated. The sources of contamination in the area have been identified as coming from human and/or animal wastes.