Assessment of Physicochemical and Bacteriological Quality of Water in Three Riverine Communities in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Boreholes and wells are the main sources of drinking water for communities and cities in Nigeria. However, inadequate protection of these sources can be dangerous as contaminants such as chemicals and pathogens from surface water can seep into the groundwater posing significant health risks to these communities. Aim: This study evaluated the physicochemical and bacteriological quality of drinking water in three riverine communities in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Method: Using standard techniques, water samples were collected three times within a month from four storage tanks (sources) and their distributions (11 taps). There were two sources in Ukukala-Ama, one in Somiari-Ama and another in Fimie-Ama. The samples were then evaluated for their physicochemical and bacteriological quality through standard procedures and assessed against the acceptable limits for drinking water set by the World Health Organization. Result: The physicochemical parameters of water sources showed pH range of 5.12±0.02-5.87±0.063, temperature range of 24.63±0.03-25.85±0.08, sulphate 56.84±0.03-68.64±0.75, Chloride ranged from 8.43±0.63-16.22±0.05 Also, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) ranged from ranged from 42.94±10.58 -78.08±0.08 mg/l and respectively.  Mercury (Hg), and Lead (Pb) Iron (Fe), ranged from 0.07±0.00-0.09±0.00, 0.12±0.00-0.39±0.00 and 3.42±0.00-5.04±0.01, respectively. The mean of Total Heterotrophic bacteria counts (THBC) ranged from 0.77±0.01 to 9.0±0.00 x 102 CFU/ml and was highest in water samples from one of Somiari-Ama distribution(tap 3) , the total faecal coliform counts ranged from 1.05 ±0.03 x 102 CFU/ml  to 8.97 ± 1.07 x 102 CFU/ml, total Coliform Counts ranged from 1.0±0.00 x 102 CFU/ml to 8.33±0.33 x 102 CFU/ml while total Salmonella Shigella counts ranged from 0.57±0.03 x 102 CFU/ml to 8.33±0.33 x 102 CFU/ml. There was mean difference in water samples at p=.05 and was significant at 0.005, 0.009, <0.001 and <0.001 for THBC, TCC, TFCC and TSSC, respectively for the four sources.  Bacteria genera isolated were Escherichia coli, Citrobacter freundi, Proteus mirabilis, Serratia marcescens, Enterobacter aerogenes, Bacillus cereus amongst others. Conclusion: The assessment revealed contamination in water sources, with acidic pH, high heavy metals, and bacterial loads exceeding WHO limits. Fecal contamination poses health risks, necessitating urgent water treatment and monitoring. Recommendation: Groundwater in these communities requires treatment before consumption.