Physico-chemical and bacteriological analysis of water used for drinking and other domestic purposes in Amaozara Ozizza, Afikpo North, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Physicochemical properties, selected metal contents, microbial load and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of three main drinking water sources in Amaozara Ozizza, Afikpo North L.G.A, Ebonyi State, Nigeria were investigated. Three drinking water samples were collected from three water sources: Ogo borehole, Ogbuku and Ugwuiyi. Physicochemical parameters analyzed were: pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total dissolved solute (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), phosphate (PO₄^3-), sulphates (SO₄), nitrates (NO_3-N) and nitrites (NH_4-N); Metals (Ca, Cl, Mg, K, Zn, Ni, Mn, Pb, Fe, Cu, Cr and Cd) and pathogenic microbiological presence were also analyzed using standard procedures. The results showed that the majority of the parameters determined did not exceed the permissible limit of set standards. However, some parameters that deviated from set standards such as COD, turbidity, PO₄^3- and NH₄ can be improved by adequate water treatment. Escherichia coli, Shigella, Klebsiella, Salmonella, Vibrio cholera, and Proteus spp were amongst the identified isolates from the water samples. 80% of isolates were sensitive to maxipime, augumentin and mefoxin while 20% isolated were resistant to cloxacillin and rocephin. The presence of these microorganisms depicts fecal contamination which portends health risk among the community that utilize the water for drinking and other domestic purposes.