ABSTRACT

Nkwuaku and Ogbaru stream water were evaluated for the presence of microbial contaminants. A total number of twelve (12) microorganisms were isolated from both water samples analyzed. Eight (8) bacteria genera isolated include; Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Salmonella spp., Klebsiella spp., Staphylococcum aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus Spp.  and Campylobacter spp. The four (4) fungi isolated include; Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus and Fusarium oxysporum. The physicochemical characteristics of the water samples showed that Nkwuaku stream water had the least total dissolved solid value of 210mg/L while the highest value of 270mg/L was recorded  for Ogbaru stream water. The total bacteria count carried out revealed that Ogbaru stream water had the highest bacterial population of 5.1x107cfu/ml while the least bacterial population of 4.2x107cfu/ml was recorded for Nkwuaku stream water. Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus  and Proteus spp. had the highest percentage occurrence of 16.66% each, while the least percentage occurrence of 8.33% was recorded for Enterococcus faecalis, Klebsilla spp.,  Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Campylobacter spp. each. Also, Aspergillus recorded the highest percentage occurrence of 40% for fungi while the least percentage of 20% was recorded for Aspergillus niger, Fusarium oxysporium and Aspergillus fumigatus each.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title  page i

Certification ii

Dedication iii

Acknowledgements iv

Table of Contents v

List of Tables viii

List of Figures ix

Abstract x

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 

1.1 Aim of the Study 2

1.2 Objectives of the Study 3

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Water Quality 4

2.2 Water Quality Standards 4

2.3 Categories of Water Quality 5

2.3.1 Human Consumption 5

2.3.2 Industrial and Domestic Use 6

2.3.3 Environmental Water Quality 6

2.4 Water Pollution 7

2.5 Types of Water Pollution 8

2.5.1 Surface Water Pollution 8

2.5.2 Groundwater Pollution 8

2.6 Categories of Pollution Sources 9 

2.6.1 Point Sources 9

2.6.2 Non-Point Sources 10

2.7 Contaminants and their Sources 10

2.7.1 Chemical 10

2.7.2 Pathogens 11

2.8 Organic, Inorganic and Macroscopic Contaminants 12

2.8.1 Organic Water Pollutants 12

2.8.2 Inorganic Water Pollutants 13

2.8.3 Macroscopic Pollution 14

2.9 Change in Temperature 14

CHAPTER THREE: MATERIALS AND METHODS

3.1 Study Area 15

3.2 Collection of Samples 15

3.3 Sterilization of Materials 15

3.4 Physicochemical Analysis 16

3.5 Determination of Physical Parameters 16

3.5.1 Determination of pH 16

3.5.2 Determination of Temperature 16

3.5.3 Determination of Conductivity 16

3.5.4 Determination of Colour 17

3.5.5 Determination of Turbidity 17

3.5.6 Determination of Odour 17

3.5.7 Determination of Total Solids (TS) by (Gravimetric Method) 17

3.5.8 Determination of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) (Gravimetric Method) 18

3.5.9 Determination of Total Suspended Solids (TSS) 18

3.6 Determination of Alkalinity 19

3.6.1 Determination of Acidity 19

3.7 Microbiological Analysis 20

3.7.1 Preparation and Inoculation of Samples 20

3.7.2 Purification of Isolates 20

3.7.3 Identification of the Isolates 21

3.7.4 Gram Staining 21

3.8 Coliform Count 22

3.8.1 Presumptive Test 22

3.8.2 Confirmative Test 22

3.8.3 The Completed Test 22

3.9 Biochemical Test 23

3.9.1 Catalase Test 23

3.9.2 Motility Test 23

3.9.3 Indole Test 23

3.9.4 Citrate Utilization Test 24

3.9.5 Coagulase Test 24

3.9.6 Oxidase Test 24

3.9.7 Methyl Red Test 25

3.9.8 Urease Test 25

3.9.9 Sugar Utilization Test 25

3.10 Identification of Fungal Isolates 26

3.10.1 Lactophenol Cotton Blue Staining 26

CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS

CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION 

5.1 Discussion 39

5.2 Conclusion 41

5.3 Recommendation 42

References