ABSTRACT

 The detection and enumeration of coliforms in three (3) locations mainly Upper, base and Lower. The quality of the stream was evaluated using the most probable number for coliform detection and multiple tube fermentation technique. Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Enterobacter aerogenes, Shige/la sp. were identified. The Total viable Counts of Escherichia coli ranged from 4.7x 10= 7.7x 10cfu/ml. The Total Viable Counts of Escherichia coli were higher at the base followed by the lower location. The total viable count for Salmonella ranged from 2.Jx I 0 6 - 4. 7x 10 6 cfu/ml. The total viable counts for Salmonella were higher at the upper and lower locations. The Enterobacter aerogenes ranges from 2.7x10°- 5.7x10° and shigella ranges from 2.7x10°- 4.7x10° cfu/ml within this period of investigation. The most probable number of coli forms were 7, 12 and 9 cells per 1 00mls of the water at the upper, base and lower locations respectively taken at 95% confidence limit. The pH of the stream ranged from 6.3 to 6.8 which fell out of the standards of 6.5 to 8.5. The temperature of the sites ranged from 27.9 to 29.30°C which is in conformity with the WHO standards of 20-30°C. The total dissolved solids of the stream ranged from 9.8 to 53.4 mg/l, while the alkalinity of the stream ranged from 80-95. The total hardness ranges from 80 to 91.20 mg/l, while the phosphate concentration of the stream ranges from 0.09 to 0.20 mg/I which is not in agreement with the WHO standards for potable drinking water