ABSTRACT

 Four different swimming pools in Umuahia, Abia State were investigated for their microbial qualities. Water samples from the swimming pools were serially diluted and were cultured on different agars using the pour plate technique for total heterotrophic plate count, coliform count and fungal count. The identification of the bacterial and fungal isolates were performed using standard microbial techniques which includes Gram staining, biochemical test and lactophenol cotton blue staining. Bacterial isolates  includes Staphylococcusaureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis,  Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp. and Salmonella spp. while the fungal isolates were Penicillium spp., Mucor spp., Aspegillusniger, Aspergillusflavus, Candida albicans and Mucor spp. The mean heterophilic bacterial count ranged from 2.8x 105 cfu/ml to 5.5x106cfu/ml and the mean coliform count ranged from 1.7x 106cfu/ml to 3.2x106cfu/ml. Fungal count ranged from 1.5x 105 to 3.8x 106 cfu/ml. E.coli and S.aureus had 100% frequency of occurrence while Salmonella spp. had the least frequency (25%). For the fungal isolates Aspergillusniger had the highest percentage (100%) followed by Mucor spp. and Aspergillusfavus (75%),Canidaalbicans was the lest occurring (25%). Antibiotic susceptibility and Antifungal test values were 8mm-26mm for the bacterial isolates and 8mm- 28mm for the fugal isolates. The presence of high levels of coliforms and the isolation of pathogenic bacteria from the pools is an indication of the need to improve pool disinfection standards, proper education to the swimmers to improve on their hygiene before entering the pool and proper monitoring of pools by health organizations.

TABLE OF CONTENT

Cover Pagei

Title page ii

Certification                                                                                                                                  iii

Dedicationiv

Acknowledgement                                                                                                                         v

Tables of Content                                                                                                                      vi-viii

List of Tables                                                                                                                                  ix

List of Figures                                                                                                                                x

Abstract                                                                                                                                          xi

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 Introduction                                                                                                                              1

1.1 Aim of Study                                                                                                                            3

1.2 Objectives of Study                                                                                                                  3     

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 Literature review                                                                                                                       4

2.1  Uses of Water2.1.1  Domestic Purposes                                                                                                                4

2.1.2  Agricultural Purposes                                                                                                            4

2.1.3 Industrial Purposes                                                                                                                 4

2.1.4 Recreational Purposes                                                                                                              5

2.2  Sources of Water                               5

2.2.1  Surface Water 5

2.2.2  Ground Water                                                                                                                         6

2.2. 3 Artificial Water                                                                                                                       7

2. 3 Microbial Hazards of Swimming Pool                                                                                      8

2.3.1  Staphyloccoci Infection                                                                                                          8

2.3.2  Pseudomonasaeruginosa9

2.3.3  Escherichia coli10

2.3.4  Shigella                                                                                                                                11

2.3.5  Fungal Infection12

2.4 Control of Infection14

CHAPTER THREE

3.0  Materials and Methods 17

3.1  Collection of Samples17

3.2 Preparation of Media 17

3.3  Enumeration of Total Heterotrophic Bacteria and Fungi17

3.4  Identification and Characterization of Isolates18

3.4.0  Colonial Morphology18

3.4.1 Gram Staining18

3.4.2 Coagulase Test19

3.4.3  Spore Staining19

3.4.4  Motility Test20

3.4.5  Catalase Test20

3.4.6  Citrate Utilization Test20

3.4.7 Indole Test20

3.4.8  Oxidase Test21

3.4.9 Carbohydrate Fermentation Test21

3.5  Identification of Fungal Isolates22

3.5.1 Lactophenol Cotton Blue Staining22

3.5.2 Antibiotic susceptibility Testing22

3.5.3 Antifungal Test22

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0  Results23

4.1 Interpretation of Tables23

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0  Discussion34

5.1  Conclusion35

5.2  Recommendations35

REFERENCES36-39

APPENDIX 40-41