ABSTRACT

Roof-harvested rain water (RHRW) has been considered as an effective alternative source of water for domestic use, as public source of water are not always available and consistent. However, the most significant issue in relation to using untreated (RHRW) for domestic purposes is the potential public health risks associated with microbial pathogens. This study focuses on comparative microbial assessment of roofs harvested rain water. A total of eighteen (18) water samples were collected and analyzed using microbiological standard method. The bacteria species implicated from the study are; Staphylococcus aurues, Escherichia coli, Bacillus spp, Streptococcus spp, Enterococcus spp and Shige/la spp. The bacteria load ranges from 4.5x104cfu/ml to 1.56x105cfu/ml with thatch roof water sample having the highest bacteria load and stone coated roof having the least bacteria load. There was variation in the occurrence of the different bacteria species in the water samples studied. Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus had the highest occurrence (33.3% to 100%), while shigela spp had the least occurrence of 0% to 33.3%.The prevalence of the microorganisms was highest in thatched roof water and least in the open air rain water. From the recorded observations in this study, it was concluded that rain waters from different roofs in and around Umudike are of low microbiological quality. Therefore, it was recommended that the roofs harvested rain water should not be drunk without treatment. Simple thermal treatment like boiling is suggested as well as filtration of the water.