Physico Chemical Properties and Bacteria Qualities of hand dug wells in Ebukuma, Rivers State Nigeria

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Abstract

Abstract: Physico-chemical and bacteria qualities assessments of groundwater in Ebukuma village Andoni-land, Rivers State, South-south Nigeria were investigated. A total of 84 fresh water samples from hand dug wells were collected between January-December, 2016. Physico-chemical and bacteria qualities of all samples were determined according to the standard methods for the examination of drinking water. The mean values of pH ranged from 6.80-7.32, temperature was 24.430C to 30.450C and salinity was 25.21mg/L to 34.79mg/L. The average values of physico-chemical parameters were generally higher in the months of January-March and lowest in the month of June and July. Total heterotrophic count for the duration 12 months of assessment ranged from 2.49-3.73. Generally, the values of total viable count, total coliform and faecal coliform were lower during the months of April-October while, November-March showed increased bacterial load. All the physico-chemical parameters and trace elements investigated were within the World Health Organisation (WHO) acceptable limits of tolerance, with the exceptions of turbidity (NTU) and iron (mg/L). The Pearson’s correlation coefficient of indicator microorganisms showed high relationship in the distribution of total viable counts (TVC) and faecal coliform with 0.939 (P<0.01). Physico-chemical parameters like pH, temperature and salinity also showed high correlation with distribution of indicator microorganisms. The distribution of potentially pathogenic microorganisms in the 84 test samples showed 100% contamination of Escherichia coli. Installation of effective sustainable water treatment facilities will considerably improve availability of potable water and reduce the predisposition to pathogenic microorganisms.

Keywords: Bacterial qualities, Groundwater, Ebukuma,,

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