ABSTRACT

A Reliable determination of the bacteriological and physical evaluation of umuariaga stream is essential to ensure consumption of hygienic water. The study ascertained the bacteriological and physical evaluation of stream water collected from lya-Nna Umuariaga stream, Ikwuano LGA, Umuahia, Abia State. The stream water samples were collected from different stations (upstream, midstream and downstream). The samples for the microbial counts were collected in sterile plastic containers. They were transported to the microbiology laboratory MOUA U and was immediately analyzed on reaching the laboratory. Standard microbiology media were used for this study, which include; Nutrient agar for the THPC (Total Heterotrophic Plate Count) and MacConkey broth for MPN (Most Probable Number) of coliform. Total viable heterotrophic aerobic counts were determined using pour plate technique. The molten nutrient agar at 45 °Cwere poured into the Petri dishes containing 1 ml of the appropriate dilution for the isolation of the total heterotrophic bacteria. Presumptive Test for Total Coliform Using Multiple Tube Fermentation Technique. A total amount of 100ml of water sample was taken from each Upstream, Midstream and downstream (five tubes for 10ml each, five tubes for 1ml each and one tube for 50ml each) and inoculated into bottles of sterile double strength MacConkey broth of the same amount each containing inverted Durham tube for gas collection and detection. Eva bottle water was used as control for each batch. Result obtained shows that the total bacteria count revealed that downstream had the highest total bacteria count of 6.0 x 10° cfuml while the upstream had the lowest bacteria count of 1.8 x 10.The stream water collected from different stations in lya-Nna stream is unacceptable for human consumption. Based on the above result, it was concluded that water from umuariaga stream cannot be used for human consumption