ABSTRACT

Microbiological and physicochemical quality of borehole water from Agbama Housing Estate, Umuahia was studied. A total of fifty water samples were collected and analyzed comprising ten samples from each of the five areas, A-E. The microflora of the borehole water showed the presence of seven specie of bacteria with varying levels of occurrence including Escherichia coli (80%),Staphylococcus aureus (42%), Pseudomonasspp. (26%), Shigella flexneri(10%), Salmonella typhi (6.0%), Serratia marsecens (4.0%)and Proteus mirabilis(10%), while the fungi flora recorded different species including Apsergillus niger (22%), Aspergillusfumigatus (6.0%),Mucoralternaria (40%) andRhodotorula spp. (4.0%). The total heterotrophic bacteria count was between 5.03x104cfu/ml to 6.09x104cfu/ml with a mean value 2.5.53x104cfu/ml while the total Staphylococcal count had a mean value of 3.83x104cfu/ml with a range of 3.07x104cfu/ml to 4.67x104cfu/l. The mean fungi population was between 3.26x102cfu/ml to3.94x102cfu/ml with a mean value 3.61x102cfu/ml while the coliform count was in the range of 7.0 cells/100ml to 9.5cells/100ml and a mean value of 8.0cols/100ml. Physicochemical analysis showed there were variations in the physicochemical properties of the water as the pH varied from 6.40 to 6.76, turbidity 0.86 to 1.06 NTU and Total Solids 17.87mg/ml to 22.88mg/ml. The total hardness was in the range of 43.33mg/ml to 51.89mg/ml, calcium and magnesium contents ranged from 27.12mg/ml to 55.56mg/ml and 3.17mg/ml to 4.99mg/ml respectively. It was observed that there is need for improvement in the personal and environmental hygiene of dwellers within the borehole sites to reduce external influence on the quality of the water. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page i

Certification ii

Dedication iii

Acknowledgments iv

Table of contents v

List of Tables viii

Abstract ix

CHAPTER ONE

Introduction 1

1.1 Aim and Objectives of the Study 5

1.1.1 Aim 5

1.1.2 Objectives of the Study 5

CHAPTER TWO

Literature Review 6

2.1 Pollution 6

2.1.1 Forms of Pollution 6

2.2 Water 9

2.2.1 Chemical and Physical Properties of Water 10

2.2.2 Uses of Water 12

2.3 Water Pollution 13

2.3.1 Groundwater Pollution 14

2.3.2 Causes of Water Pollution 15

2.3.3 Effects of Water Pollution 16

2.3.4 Remedies of Water Pollution 17

2.4 Water Quality 18

2.4.1 Bacteriological Water Quality 19

2.4.2 Indicator Organisms of Water Quality 20

2.4.2.1 Coliform Organisms (Total Coliform) as Indicator of Water Quality 21

2.4.2.2 Thermo-tolerant (Faecal) Coliform Bacteria as Indicator of Water Quality 21

2.5 Microbiological Parameters for Determination of Water Quality 22

2.5.1 Heterotrophic Plate Count 22

2.5.2 Total Coliform Plate Count 22

2.5.3 Total Faecal Coliform Count 23

2.6 Use of Bacteria as Indicators of Pathogenic Organisms in Water 23

2.7 Water Borne Pathogens and Diseases 24

2.8 Physicochemical Water Quality 26

2.8.1 Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) 26

2.8.2 pH 27

2.8.3 Turbidity 28

2.8.4 Temperature 29

2.9 Microbiological Water Analysis 30

2.9.1 Methods of Microbiological Water Analysis 30

2.9.1.1 Multiple Tube Fermentation Method 31

2.9.1.2 ATP Testing Method 31

2.9.1.3 Plate Count Method 32

2.9.1.4 Membrane Filtration Method 32

2.9.1.5 Pour Plate Method 33

CHAPTER THREE

Materials and Methods 34

3.1 Study Area 34

3.2 Collection of Water Samples 34

3.3 Materials Used 34

3.4 Preparation of the Media 35

3.5 Microbiological Analysis of Water Samples 35

3.5.1 Total Viable/Heterotrophic Count 35

3.5.2 Enumeration of Total Coliform 36

3.5.2.1 Confirmative Tests 36

3.5.2.2 Completed Tests 36

3.5.3 Total Fungal Count 37

3.6 Characterization and Identification of Bacterial Isolates 37

3.7 Biochemical Tests for Identification of Bacterial Isolates 37

3.7.1 Gram Stain Test 37

3.7.2 Catalase Test 38

3.7.3 Coagulase Test 38

3.7.4 Oxidase Test 38

3.7.5 Indole Test 39

3.7.6 Citrate Test 39

3.7.7 Motility Test 39

3.7.8 Carbohydrate Fermentation Test 40

3.8 Characterization and Identification of Fungal Isolates 40

CHAPTER FOUR

Results 41

CHAPTER FIVE

Discussion, Conclusion and Recommendation 56

5.1 Discussion 56

5.2 Conclusion and Recommendation 60

References 62

Appendix I 68

Appendix II 72