Comparative Effects of Conventional and Non-Conventional Flocculants and Disinfectants on Microbial Contaminants in Water Purification

Abstract

This work compares the effect of alum, a conventional flocculant to the bioflocculant isolated from Bacillus subtilis and Moringa oleifera seed powder (non conventional bioflocculants) and chlorine as disinfectant on microbial contaminants in water purification. Bioflocculant was purified from the sand sediments of Onyearugbulem market, jar test method was used in bioflocculating activity and dosage. Bioflocculant purified from Bacillus subtilis isolated from the sediments of Onyearugbulem market stream inhibited the growth of coliform for well, stream and abattoir waste water samples. On the other hand, alum sulfate when compared with bioflocculant at a dosage level of 200 mg for well and stream waters and 800 mg for abattoir waste water yielded flocculating activities of 87.33%, 78.42% and 24.60%. This indicates that purified bioflocculant was more effective than alum sulphate. Bioflocculant produced from Bacillus subtilis should be exploited in water treatment. Moringa oleifera seed powder exhibited both flocculating and disinfecting potentials in water treatment but not effective in the treatment of abattoir waste water.