ABSTRACT

This study examines the physicochemical and microbiological attributes of water samples obtained from seven boreholes.  The physicochemical attributes revealed that the ammonia, manganese, nitrate, nitrite, fluoride, chloride contents, conductivity and total dissolved solids were below the permissible levels. However, total alkalinity, total hardness and BOD values of water samples were lower than the permissible levels. The pH of water samples ranged from 4.13-4.73, showing that only two samples fell within the permissible levels. Similarly, the temperature ranged from 27.2-28.0oC, The microbial quality of the water samples indicates extensive microbial contamination involving heterotrophic bacteria, coliforms, Staphylococci. However, Salmonella was not isolated in this study. Bacterial isolates such as Escherichia, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Bacillus and Pseudomonas, Enterobacter, with multiple drug resistance for penicillin and vancomycin and susceptible to fusidic acid cefoxitin and meticilin. The safety of the borehole water can be enhanced through regular cleaning, disinfection of storage tanks and further treatment by end users to ensure the portability of water. This study provides baseline data with regard to the quality of underground water within Umudike, Abia State Nigeria.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title i                   

Certification                       ii

Dedication                       iii

Acknowledgement           iv

Table of Content                      v

List of Tables                      vii

List of Figures                     viii

Abstract           ix

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Objectives of study           3             

1.2 Justification                                                                        4

1.3 Statement of problem                                                                        4             

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Basic Water Requirements for Human Activities               5 

2.2. Analysis of Groundwater Quality for Human Requirements   8

2.3. Sources of Groundwater Pollution   10 

2.4. Evidence of Groundwater Pollution      12

2.5. Health Effects of Groundwater Contamination/Pollution                15

2.6 Constraints of Groundwater Utilization    19

2.7. Gaps in Literature    21

CHAPTER THREE: MATERIALS AND METHODS

3.1 Study area                           23

3.2 Sample collection    23

3.3 Media preparation    23

3.4 Bacteriological analyses     24

3.5 Identification and characterization of isolate     25

3.6 Physicochemical analyses    26

3.7 Statistical analyses    30

CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS        31

CHAPTER FOUR: DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION                                                                                 

5.1 Discussions      44                                                       

5.2 Conclusions                  47                                                                                                                 

5.3 Recommendations                             47                                                                                                          

REFERENCES                                         48