ABSTRACT

Bacteriological and physicochemical analysis of pipe-borne water used in Umuahia, Abia State were analyzed bacteriologically and physicochemically using standard methods. Total viable counts was by pour plates techniques, while most probable number (MPN) counts were by the multiple tube fermentation technique. The physicochemical attributes revealed that the temperature and the pH of the water samples were within the range 27-300C and 6.5-7.5 respectively, which was found to be normal according to WHO standards of water. The total viable counts for all the water sample were generally high exceeding the limit of 1.0 x 102 cfu/ml for water. The MPN/100mL counts were determined after the presumptive, confirmatory and completed tests were carried out. Water from Amachara was found to have the highest count of about 4.25 colonies/100mL of water to 7.15 colonies/100mL of water, which could be as a result of broken pipes or leakages. The faecal coliform count on EMB agar plates ranged between 1.5-7.2 x 102 also exceeding the standard limit for water. The isolated organisms were identified to be Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella species, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas species, Shigella species, Streptococcus and Klebsiella species. This water is not potable for consumption. The safety of the pipe-borne water can be enhanced through proper sanitary survey and facility maintenances, by proper supervision with regular bacteriological assessment of the water using the water standard criteria.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Cover Page 

Title Page

Certification i

Dedication ii

Acknowledgement iii

Table of Contents                                                                                                                   iv

List of figures             v

List of Tables vi

Abstract vii

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 Introduction 1

1.1 Aim and Objective 4

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 Literature Review 6

2.1 Water 6

2.2 Sources of Water 6

2.3 Surface Water 6

2.4 Ground Water 7

2.5 Bacteriological Analysis of Water 7

2.6 Indicator Organisms 8

2.6.1 Coliforms 9

2.6.2 Faecal Coliforms 9

2.6.3 Escherichia coli 10

2.6.4 Faecal Streptococci 12

2.6.5 Other Indicators 12

2.7.0 Method for Sanitary Analysis of Water 13

2.71     Most probable number technique                                                                               13                                                                  

2.7.2    Presence-Absence Tests                                                                                             14                                                                                          

2.7.3    Plate Count Technique                                                                                               14

2.8      Physicochemical Properties of Water                                                                          16

2.8.1   Physical Properties    17

2.8.1.1 Colour 17

2.8.1.2 Taste 17

2.8.1.3 Odour 18

2.8.1.4 pH 18

2.8.1.5 Temperature 19

2.8.1.6 Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) 19

2.8.1.7 Turbidity 19

2.8.1.8 Conductivity/Electrical Conductance 19

2.8.1.9 Corrosivity 20

2.9.2 Chemical Properties 20

2.9.2.1 Hardness of Water 20

2.9.2.2 Acidity 21

2.9.2.3 Metal Ions (Cations) 21 

2.10 Current Regulations and Surveillance of Drinking Water 24

CHAPTER THREE: MATERIALS AND METHODS

3.1    Study Area                                                                                                                    2

3.2    Sample Collection 26

3.3    Bacteriological Methods 27

3.3.1 Media Preparation 27

3.3.2  Enumeration, isolation and identification 27

3.3.3 Identification and Characteristics of Isolates 28

3.3.3.1 Cultural Examination 28

3.3.3.2 Gram Staining 28

3.3.3.3 Test for Motility (Stab Culture Technique) 29

3.3.3.4.Catalase Production Test 29

3.3.3.5 Oxidase Test 29

3.3.3.6 Coagulase Test 30

3.3.3.7 Citrate Test 30

3.3.3.8 Urease Production Test 30

3.3.3.9 Carbohydrate Utilization Test 31

3.4 Test For Coliforms 31

3.4.1 Presumptive Test 31

3.4.2 Confirmed Test 32

3.4.3 Completed Test 32

3.4.4 Physicochemical Analysis of Water Samples 32

3.5 Bacteriological Analysis 33

3.5.1 Isolation of Microorganisms 33

CHAPTER FOUR: RESULT 34

CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION, RECOMMENDATION AND CONCLUTION

5.1 Discussion 39

5.2 Conclusion 40

5.3 Recommendation

References