Open AccessAnalysis of the Physicochemical Parameters and Microbiological Quality of Water Samples Obtained from Mbiaso River and Enang Stream in Ikot Ekpene Metropolis
Author(s) -
Jonathan Okokon Ekanem,
Nyaknoabasi Ime Akpan,
Glory Msubaritoma Zorbari
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of advances in microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2456-7116
DOI - 10.9734/jamb/2021/v21i630356
Subject(s) - alkalinity , water quality , veterinary medicine , titratable acid , coliform bacteria , fecal coliform , total viable count , environmental science , most probable number , indicator organism , environmental chemistry , chemistry , zoology , food science , environmental engineering , biology , bacteria , ecology , medicine , genetics , organic chemistry
The physicochemical, microbiological and heavy metal studies of water samples obtained from Mbiaso River and Enang Stream were investigated. Water samples were collected from two locations with two sampling points from each location along the course of the water body based on their use by the community and analysed using standard procedures. The results obtained were compared with WHO standards for drinking and recreational water. Aside titratable acidity, titratable alkalinity and BOD, all other physicochemical parameters were within the permissible standards. All the heavy metals concentrations were above the permissible limits except for Lead (Pb) that ranged between 0.01mg/l to 0.05 mg/l for all the sampling points. All the water samples were found to harbor coliforms organisms in numbers greater than the required WHO standards for water except for Enang river that lacked the presence of Vibrio spp. The total viable counts for all the water samples were generally high exceeding the standard limit of 1.0 x 102 cfu/ml for water. The total heterotrophic bacteria count, total coliform count, faecal coliform count and total fungal count ranged between 1.9x104 - 52x104 cfu/ml, 2.3x104 -38 x104 cfu/ml, 1.7x104 - 30x104 cfu/ml and 2.5x104 - 5.3x104 cfu/ml respectively. The total salmonella-shigella counts and total staphylococcus counts were in the range of 0.2 x102-0.4 x102 cfu/ml and 0.3 x102 -0.6 x104 cfu/ml respectively. From the study, it is suggested that some regulations measures be put in place to control pollution of the water while the water be properly treated before use for domestic, potable or recreational purposes.