Effect of Wet and Dry Seasons on the Physicochemical and Bacteriological Quality of Borehole Water in Three Senatorial Districts of Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the physicochemical properties and bacteriological quality of borehole water from five communities (Abraka, Obiaruku, Warri, Eku, and Kwale) across three Senatorial districts of Delta State, Nigeria, during the wet and dry seasons. Twenty (20) water samples were collected aseptically (10 per season) and analyzed using standard methods (APHA for physicochemical parameters and microbiological techniques for bacterial isolation). Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus mirabilis Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacer sp and Enterococcus sp were isolated from the borehole water. This study showed that the lead, cadmium and chromium contents of borehole water in wet season were  higher (0.01-0.03 mg/l)  than permitted by WHO but none detected in dry season. However, iron (0.01-0.03 mg/l) content was within the permitted value in both seasons. This study also showed that seasonal variations significantly influenced physicochemical parameters, but bacteriological quality remained consistently poor, with Escherichia coli detected in both seasons particularly in the Central and North Senatorial Districts of Delta State. It is therefore recommended that the borehole water should undergo chlorination and further purification before consumption.