UMYU Journal of Microbiology Research (Jun 2024)

Bacteriological Quality of Borehole Water in Gusau Metropolis

  • Rosemary Okoye,
  • Yomi Marie Carole Nyandjou

DOI
https://doi.org/10.47430/ujmr.2493.010

Abstract

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Study’s Novelty/Excerpt • This study is novel as it presents the first extensive bacteriological assessment of borehole water quality in Gusau metropolis, highlighting significant public health concerns. • By analyzing multiple contamination indicators including total bacterial load, total coliform, fecal coliform, and Salmonella-Shigella counts, this research provides a detailed and comprehensive evaluation of water safety. • Furthermore, the identification of specific bacterial contaminants such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, and Shigella spp., combined with the finding that contamination levels exceed WHO standards, underscores the urgent need for water treatment interventions to prevent waterborne diseases. Full Abstract Microbes are ubiquitous and are known to contaminate materials, including food and water. We examined the bacteriological quality of borehole water in Gusau metropolis to determine its potability. Triplicate samples were collected from fifteen (15) different boreholes and analyzed. The total bacterial load, total coliform, fecal coliform, and Salmonella-Shigella count were determined using the membrane filtration technique. The average counts were as follows: total bacteria ranged from 6×10^1 cfu/ml to 39×10^1 cfu/ml, total coliform count from 3×10^1 cfu/ml to 65×10^1 cfu/ml, fecal coliform count from 1×10^0 cfu/ml to 4×10^0 cfu/ml, and Salmonella-Shigella count from 0 cfu/ml to 4×10^0 cfu/ml. The isolated organisms were identified as Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, and Shigella spp. The predominant bacterial isolate was Escherichia coli. Our study indicated that the bacteriological quality exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) allowable limits of 0 cfu/100ml for total bacterial load, total coliform count, fecal coliform count, and Salmonella-Shigella count due to the underground aquifers. Therefore, we recommend that borehole water sources be adequately treated before consumption to reduce the risk of waterborne diseases.

Keywords