ISSN 2756-3669
International Journal of Bacteriology Research ISSN: 2392-5690 Vol. 2 (2), pp. 028-031, April, 2014. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
The bacteriological survey of borehole waters in Peri-Urban areas of Abakaliki; Ebonyi State, Nigeria
**Uhuo, C.A, *Uneke B.I, Okereke C.N, Nwele D.E and Ogbanshi M.E
1Department of Applied Biology, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki.
2Department of Biochemistry, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki.
*Corresponding author. E-mail:[email protected]
Accepted 22 April, 2014
Abstract
The study on the bacteriological examination of borehole water was conducted in peri-urban areas of Abakaliki Ebonyi State. A total of forty samples were assessed for the presence of coliform bacteria using Most Probable Number techniques (MPN). The study revealed that some coliform bacteria which make water unsafe for drinking were implicated from these samples assayed and thus, recorded as follows: E. coli, (65.5%) klebsiella aerogenes (8.64%), Bacillus sp (6.25 %), Salmonella sp (10.5%) and Bacilla subtilis (8.62%) were isolated from the water samples assessed, where E. coli (65.5%) was recorded higher among others from samples collected at Ukwuachi road and Umuoghara. The statistical analysis (p<0.05) showed that Ukwuachi and Umuoghara boreholes showed high bacteria load compared to others hence the quality of the borehole waters for drinking. From the standpoint of bacteriological analysis, all borehole water in these peri-urban areas did not meet the World Health Organization Standards and should be boiled before drinking to reduce or avoid infectious microorganism which constitute the coliform bacterium in water making it unsafe for drinking. Since most households in these peri-urban areas solely rely on borehole water as their main source of drinking and usage for domestic activities but, hence contaminated, the consequences could be fatal due to the public health risk and dangers associated with drinking such contaminated water.
Key words: Bacteriological, examination, borehole, water, Abakaliki.