Monitoring domestic water quality of selected location in Bwari Area Council, Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

The quest to prevent and control waterborne diseases has aroused the need for constant water monitoring and control. This study was aimed at the examination of the quality of different domestic water samples from selected locations in Bwari Area Council, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Water from different sources in selected locations in Kubwa, Dutse and Bwari metropolis of the Bwari Area Council, Abuja were obtained using sterile containers. Physicochemical characteristics of water samples were assessed following standard methods. Possible microorganisms in the sampled water were isolated and identified using standard microbiological methods while the multiple tube fermentation method was also used to detect the volume and presence of Escherichia coli with other coliforms. The percentage occurrence of the bacterial and fungal isolates was detected. Results obtained show that the physicochemical parameters were within the guidelines and standard recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). The study also revealed a bacterial count that ranged from 3.8x10⁵ CFU/mL to 1.78x10⁷ CFU/mL and the bacterial isolates; Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus spp, Bacillus spp and Pseudomonas spp while the fungal isolates Aspergillus spp, Mucor spp and Candida spp. Candida species was most frequently isolated fungal species with a percentage occurrence of 55 % followed by Mucor spp (30 %) and Aspergillus spp (15 %), the least occurred. The percentage occurrence of the bacterial isolates showed Staphylococcus spp as the most occurring with the percentage occurrence of 60 % followed by Bacillus spp having percentage occurrence of 30 %. These findings indicate the presence of coliform bacteria, E coli in the borehole water and also the presence of other bacterial species such as Staphylococcus spp, Pseudomonas spp and Bacillus spp while the fungal species; Candida, Mucor and Aspergillus. These isolates are of public health importance as Aspergillus spp. may cause aspergillosis in humans, while Staphylococcus spp. is associated with food intoxication.