ABSTRACT

This study determined the microbiological and physicochemical qualities of Umuariaga River in Ikwuano LGA of Umuahia. A total of 30 samples collected over a 10 day period from three different points of the river were analyzed. Total viable counts were enumerated and they ranged as follows; Total Heterotrophic Plate Count (1.7 × 101 to 7.8 × 101 for upstream, 1.1 × 103 to 5.9 × 103 for midstream and 1.4 × 103 to 3.8 × 103 for downstream), Total Coliform Plate Count (1.6 × 101 to 4.3 × 101 for upstream, 1.5 × 103 to 5.6 × 103 for midstream and 2.5 × 103 to 9.0 × 103 for downstream), Total Fungal Count (1.4 × 101 to 9.0 × 101 for upstream, 1.5 × 103 to 4.6 × 103 for midstream and 1.1 × 103 to 4.0 × 103 for downstream). The results showed that the midstream region had the highest viable counts and this could be attributed to high human and possibly animal activities in the region of Umuariaga River. Due to the relatively low coliform count in the upstream region, it was implied that the upstream region of Umuariaga River was quite fit and safe drinking. The physicochemical quality of the river was also studied. The parameters studied were pH, temperature, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids and conductivity and the results were observed to be well within the WHO standards. From this study, it can be said that Umuariaga River is not polluted and can be deemed fit and safe for drinking. However, proper treatment of the water is required as a safety measure before consumption.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page i

Certification ii

Dedication iii

Acknowledgments iv

Table of contents v

List of tables ix

Abstract x

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 Aim and Objectives 3

1.1.1 Objectives 3

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW 4

2.1 Pollution 4

2.2 Water 4

2.3 Water Pollution 5

2.3.1 Contamination of Drinking Water 6

2.4 Water Quality 6

2.4.1 Economic Effects of Water Quality 7

2.5 Classes of Water Related Diseases 7

2.6 World Health Organization (Who) Standards for Drinking Water 8

2.7 Typical Chemical Contamination 9

2.8 Types of Contaminants 10

2.9 Bacteriological Water Quality 11

2.10 Water Borne Pathogens and Diseases 11

2.11 Indicator Organisms of Water Quality 13

2.11.1 Coliform Organisms (Total Coliform) 14

2.11.2 Thermotolerant Coliform Bacteria 15

2.11.3 Escherichia Coli 16

2.11.4 Faecal Streptococci and Enterococci 16

2.11.5 Clostridium Perfringens 18

2.11.6 Heterotrophic Plate Count 19

2.12 Use of Bacteria as Indicators of Pathogenic Organisms in Water 20

2.13 Physicochemical Water Quality 21

2.13.1 Biochemical Oxygen Demand 23

2.13.2 Dissolved Oxygen 25

2.14 Physical Water Quality 26

2.14.1 Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) 26

2.14.2 pH 27

2.14.3 Turbidity 28

2.14.4 Electrical Conductivity (EC) 29

2.14.5 Temperature 29

CHAPTER THREE

MATERIALS AND METHODS 31

3.1 Study Area 31

3.2 Materials 31

3.2.1 Sterilization of Materials 31

3.2.2 Media Used and Their Preparation 32

3.3 Sample Collection 32

3.4 Enumeration of Microorganisms 32

3.4.1 Pour Plate Techniques 33

3.5 Microbiological Analysis 33

3.5.1 Total Plate Counts 34

3.5.2 Total Coliform Count 34

3.5.3 Total Fungal Count 34

3.6 Chemical Tests 35

3.6.1 pH Test 35

3.6.2 Suspended Solid Determination (SS) 35

3.6.2.1 Total Suspended Solids (TSS) Determination 35

3.6.2.2 TDS Test (Total Dissolved Solids) 35

3.6.3 Conductivity Test 36

CHAPTER FOUR

Results 37

4.1 Microbiological Properties 37

4.2 Physicochemical Properties 37

CHAPTER FIVE

DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 43

5.1 Discussion 43

5.2 Conclusion and Recommendation 45

References 47