ABSTRACT
A total number of 30 well water samples were collected from 10 different locations in Makurdi metropolis. Analysis of well water for total counts for aerobic bacteria, microbial bacteria and fungi were carried out. The microbial bacteria were the critical test organism which was found in water that has feacal contamination. Total microbial counts were determined using the pour plate technique and 10 fold dilution and series. As a result total microbial count ranged from [3.3×107 to 6.6×107] cfu/ml. The bacteria isolated were Escherchia coil, Klebsiella, Staphylococcus and E.coil was isolated from one out of ten location while klebsiellla was isolated from all 10 location, Staphylococcus was isolated from barracks road. Fungi isolated are Candida albicans and Aspergillus which were isolated only in Wadata.
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The presence of potentially harmful, disease-causing (pathogenic) bacteria and other microorganisms is a concern when considering the safety of drinking water. Consuming water contaminated with pathogens can cause intestinal infections such as typhoid, dysentery, cholera and hepatitis, among other diseases. Federal law requires public water utilities to provide biologically safe water. However, the safety of privately owned water supplies such as wells, springs and cisterns is the sole responsibility of the owner.
Water is essential to life and all forms of activities including industries. The growth in economies and societies led to an increase in pollution of our waters whose properties and impurities need to be known. These impurities have to be eliminated for water to reach an acceptable level of potability. A molecule of water is formed from one atom of hydrogen and two atoms of oxygen linked together by covalent bonds (Liess and Schulz, 2000).
Bacteria are microscopic organisms that are found nearly everywhere. Most bacteria are harmless, but certain types can cause diseases or other problems. Wells used for drinking water should be tested for the presence of coliforms every one to two years, in addition to other water quality parameters. Non-disease causing iron bacteria can affect household and irrigation wells. Iron bacteria cause plumbing fittings and laundry to stain and in severe cases clogs well screens. Chlorination is the most common method for disinfecting contaminated wells. In some cases, replacing the well cap, casing and seal may be necessary to keep the well clean after it is disinfected. Repairing the household septic system may also be necessary. Natural water are grouped into three major types namely; atmospheric water, surface water and underground water, the availability of which depends on the geographical location. Underground water from wells, bore holes or springs are usually of good quality but can also be contaminated by human activities. Well water is basically underground water produced by the seepage of rain water, snow matt and stream water into rock sediments. The quality of well water is often good because of the percolation and horizontal travel of the water through the ground which removes pathogens, bad odour, turbidity, odd taste and colour (Okafor, 1985, Odugbemi et al., 2005).
If you rely on a private well, it is your responsibility to ensure the water is safe to drink. You should inspect the condition of your well regularly and test a water sample every one to two years. More frequent testing is recommended when the well condition is poor, the well has been inundated with flood water, the septic system has malfunctioned or has a history of bacterial contamination, abandoned wells or feed yards are located nearby or visitors have complained of stomach or intestinal distress. Bacteria in your water may indicate that your well has become contaminated with faecal matter possibly introducing harmful viruses and protozoa such as Cryptosporidium or Giardia.
Although Makurdi, the area under study with a population of about 297,398 people (2006 population census) is blessed with a large body of water which is the Benue river, it is still worth noting that a large percentage of the population still depends on well as a source of drinking water and other domestic purposes. It is reported that in the developing countries today, one out of five persons lack access to safe drinking water while two out of five lacks basic sanitation (Bohuslauska, 2005). Every 5000 people that die of disease, 90% of them under the age of five have been linked to poor water and sanitation (Twort et al., 2005).
Water borne diseases include bacterial diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever and shigellosis. Viral diseases like hepatitis A and protozoa and helminth disease such as amoebic dysentery and schistosomiasis, respectively. Leptosporidiosis, poliomyelitis and other enteroviral infections are occasionally transmitted by water. Some opportunistic pathogens have also been documented in nosocomial outbreak associated with water supplies such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Aeromoans sp, Legionella sp and faecal Klebsiella (Odugbemi et al., 2005). A wide variety of these microorganisms can be detected or deposited in water through human faecal wastes using indicator organisms as an index of possible water contamination (Willey et al., 2005). The greater the number of coliforms, the greater the danger of infection from the water
It is necessary to identify the indicator organism to determine how recent the faecal contamination took place with the presence of Escherichia coli indicating recent contamination, Streptococcus feacalis suggest contamination from animals and Clostridium perfringens suggests not too recent contamination (Odugbemi et al., 2005). The test of coliforms is a qualitative test which helps to detect enteric bacteria in water.
1.1 Statement of the Problem
Water has been recognized as a potential carrier of diseases and in line with frequent outbreak of typhoid fever, cholera and other water borne diseases; it is pertinent that water be adequately checked and possibly treated particularly well water which is the focus of this work.
1.2 Justification of Study
This study is meant to detect the presence of potentially harmful, disease-causing (pathogenic) bacteria and other microorganisms
1.3 Aim of the Study
The aim of the study is to access the microbial contamination of well water within Makurdi Metropolis.
1.4 Objectives of the Study
- i. To investigate the bacteria commonly present in well water in Makurdi
- ii. To find out the extent of microbial contamination in well water in different areas of Makurdi
- iii. To identify the source of the microbial contamination of well water within Makurdi Metropolis.
