ABSTRACT

Pollution of the aquatic environment is a serious and growing problem. Increasing numbers and amounts of industrial, agricultural and commercial chemicals discharged into the aquatic environment have led to various deleterious effects on aquatic organisms. This work is hence aimed at evaluating the physiochemical and bacteriological quality of IyiAzu and Avu Akanu streams in Item Bende L.G.A. Abia State, in other to ascertain the safety level of these popular streams. Water samples were collected in six (6) well labeled plastic container (500 ml) in triplicate from upstream, midstream and downstream. The result showed the presence of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp, Proteus spp, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus spp. The microbial load at IyiAzu (2.3x103,4.0x103, 1.2x103)Cfulml for upstream, midstream and downstream respectively, while Avu stream (1.0x103,3.0x103,6.4x103)Cfulml respectively. The pH range values observed in the present study ranged from 6 to 7 from the upstream to downstream. The turbidity result showed that IyiAzu had 0.550 at the up and mid stream while the downstream was 2.888. Avu stream was 0.540 at both the upstream and midstream compared with the control while the downstream was 1.824. This result showed that Avu stream had a better water quality in terms of absorbance at the upstream and midstream levels. The area under study has unsatisfactory drinking water supply system and the community members rely on water from these streams for domestic use and as a source of drinking water.