ABSTRACT

The microbiological and physiochemical analysis were carried out for 10 boreholes in Agbama Housing Estate Umuahia, Abia State. The microbiological analysis was carried out using the most probable number techniques (multiple tube techniques) for the detection of faecal coliform and subsequently, organism present in the samples of water were identified following the standard methods. The identified organisms include Bacillus species, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas species, Escherichia coli, Proteus species, Enterobacter species, Streptococcus species, Salmonella species, Shigella species, Vibrio cholerae. The family Bacillaceae, Staphylococcaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, Enterobacteriaceace. The fungi identified were; Rhizopus species, Clostridium species, penicillum species, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium species. The microbial count ranged as follows: total heterotrophic bacterial count of 1.4 x 104 Cfu/ml with a mean of 3.66 x 104 Cfu/ml, coliform count, 0.8 x 104 ─ 2.6 x 104 Cfu/ml, Salmonella/Shigella count, 0 x 104  ─ 0 x 104  Cfu/ml with a mean of 0 x104  Cfu/ml, the E. coli count, 0.2 x 104 ─ 2.4 x 104 Cfu/ml, the Vibrio count 0 x104 - 0.3 x104 Cfu/ml, fungal count 0 x 104 ─ 0.3 x 104 Cfu/ml. The physiochemical properties of the water samples was compared with that of the World Health Organization (WHO) standard and APHA standard values for drinking water and it showed clearly that all the values gotten fell within the APHA and WHO standards. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page i

Certification ii

Dedication iii

Acknowledgements iv

Table of Contents v

List of Tables vii

Abstract viii

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 Statement of problem 3

1.2 Justification of the study 5

1.3 Objectives 5

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 How water gets into the ground 6

2.2 Aquifers and bore holes 6

2.3 Early days of ground water development 7

2.4 Indicators of ground water quality 7

2.5 Microbial water quality 7

2.5.1 Heavy metals 10

2.6 Indices of water quality 11

2.6.1 Total dissolved solids 11

2.6.2 Temperature 12

2.6.3 pH 12

2.6.4 Conductivity 12

2.6.5 Turbidity 13

2.7 Nutrient contaminants 13

2.7.1 Sulphate 13

2.7.2 Phosphate 13

2.7.3 Nitrates 14

2.7.4 Ammonium solution 14

2.8 Potential microbial accumulation in bore holes 14

2.8.1 Coliform bacteria and bore hole contamination 15

CHAPTER THREE: MATERIALS AND METHODS

3.1 Study area 16

3.2 Sample collection 16

3.3 Description of sampling sites 16

3.4 Media preparation 17

3.5 Methods for physicochemical analysis of water 18

3.6 Sample storage 18

3.7 Determination of physicochemical parameters 18

3.8 Microbiological analysis 21

3.8.1 Preparation of serial dilution 21

3.9 Isolation of Salmonella/Shigella specie 26

3.10 Isolation of Vibro species 26

3.11 Identification of fungi 27

CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS

CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 Discussion 33

5.2 Conclusion 33

5.3 Recommendation 34

REFERENCES

APPENDIX 

LIST OF TABLES

Table                    Title                                                             Page

1        The mean counts f microorganisms isolated from the borehole water 29

2 Occurrence for bacteria isolated from borehole water samples 30   

 3 Fungi isolated and their percentage occurrence 31

 4 Physicochemical parameters     32