Microbiological assessment of well water sources in Minna, Niger State. (KEY IJP************695)

• Aisha Usman Usman

Abstract

The microbiological properties of well waters used for domestic purposes was evaluated in this study. The physicochemical parameters evaluated include the pH of the water samples which ranged from 6.68 to 7.95, while the total hardness ranged from 13 to 150 mgl. and the total hardness ranged from 13 to 150mgl. The total heterotrophic bacterial counts of the bottled water ranged from 3.1 x 104 to 5.4 x 104, the MPN ranged from 26-150ml per 100ml, the bacteria isolates include E. coli, Streptococcus sp., Enterobacter aerogenes, Bacillus sp, Klebsiella sp. Etc. The presence of indicator organism indicates fecal contamination of the well water. It is therefore recommended that provision of hand dug wells and boreholes in this area should not be in proximity with the pit-latrines, septic and dump sites, which occurs in some households in Minna.