ABSTRACT

 The microbial qualities of the different drinking water stored in tanks in Goodluck Ebele Jonathan hostels were analyzed in this study. Pure water of 100% purity could be very hard to find in any natural sources of water. It should not contain concentration of microorganisms, parasites or any other substance, which constitutes a potential health risk. However, in practical terms drinking water will always be contaminated with a number of harmless bacteria and numerous chemicals, some of which may even be regarded as beneficial to either its taste or its health giving properties. Goodluck Jonathan Hostels consists of three hostels Female hostel. Male hostel and Postgraduate hostel. Water samples were collected from the storage tanks in the different hostels. lnoculum size of 0.lml of 102 dilution obtain from serial dilution was inoculated on various culture media (Nutrient agar, MacConkey agar, Salmonella-Shigella agar, Mannitol Salt agar, and Potatoe Dextrose agar) and further subcultured on Nutrient agar after 24 hours. The isolates were further characterized based on their biochemical characteristics. Quantitative examination of microorganisms revealed a total heterotrophic count ranging from 6.33 x l04cfu/ml to 9.20x I 04cfu/ml. Total coliform plate count ranged from 5.63x I04cfu/ml to 7.23x104cfu/ml while the total Salnionella-Shigella plate count ranged from 5.I3xl04cfu/ml to 7.0x104cfu/ml. The total fungal plate count ranged from 3.77x104cfu/ml to 4.98x104cfu/ml. The predominant microorganisms isolated from the water sample were Staphylococcus aureus. Es'cherichia coli. Bacillus •spp., Salmonella .spp. Shigella .spp. A.spergillus niger, Aspergillusfiavus and Fusariuin oxysporium. The high levels of microbial count observed in this study revealed that the drinking water is not safe for human consumption. Regular washing of the storage tanks with disinfectants will help to reduce the rate of contamination of the water tanks and present better potable water for students' use.