Isolation of Bacterial Pathogens from Borehole Water Sources within the University of Port Harcourt

Abstract

A study about the bacteriological and physicochemical quality of borehole water at the University of Port Harcourt was carried out. Eight water samples was pooled from NUH Block B (Under graduate Hostel), Nelson Mandela Block B (Undergraduate Hostel), Intercontinental Hostel (Post Graduate Hostel), Donald Ekong Block C (Post graduate Hostel), Clinical Hostel, Staff quarters (Opposite Uniport Bottling plant), Dan Etete (Undergraduate Hostel) and Gambiama Staff quarters designated as Sample 1 to sample 8 respectively. Physical examination was conducted to as the sanitary and hygiene practices within the collection area. It was observed that the undergraduate hostels had the least sanitary practice. Total counts of heterotrophic bacteria count showed that the highest bacterial count was recorded from Sample 2 with bacterial count of 2.3x104 CFU/ml while the least bacterial count was recorded from sample 8 with bacterial count of 3.0x102 CFU/ml. The isolated bacterial species from the water sources were identified as Bacillus sp., Micrococcus sp., E. coli., Serratia sp., Staphylococcus sp., Enterobacter sp., Citrobacter sp. The presence of coliform bacteria in the sampled water source does not comply with the World Health Organization (WHO) standard for coliform bacteria of zero total coliform per 100 ml of water. The borehole water samples collected had pH values within 5.9-6.85 which does not comply with the WHO recommended range for drinking water standards which should fall between ≥7 to ≤9.2. Nitrate concentration as observed amongst the eight water samples was below the WHO standard of 50mg/l. The Total dissolved solutes was below 0.01 in all the tested waters samples. This study has revealed that borehole water from sampled sources within the University of Port Harcourt is not fit for human consumption without adequate treatment.