Bacteriological Analysis of Water Stored in Tanks in and around Selected Hostels of the C. K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences (C. K. T. UTAS) in Navrongo, Ghana

Abstract

The use of unsafe water supplies and microbial contaminated water for various domestic purposes may pose serious health challenge to users. Bacteriological analysis of water is critical for public health, as it identifies disease -causing pathogens to prevent water-borne diseases such as cholera, typhoid and dysentery. The aim of the research was to determine the bacteriological quality of water stored in tanks in and around hostels of the C. K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences (C. K. T. UTAS) in Navrongo, Ghana. Questionnaires were used to obtained information about the poly tanks and the usage of water from the tanks by students of the selected hostels. Samples of water were collected from hostels of interest and analyzed for total viable bacteria count, total coliforms and faecal coliforms using standard microbiological techniques. Samples were plated on MacConkey, Chromocult Coliform and Nutrient Agar, and isolates were subjected to Gram staining and other series of biochemical tests for identification and characterization. The outcome of the study showed the presence of Bacillus spp., Klebsiella spp., Staphylococcus spp. and Micrococcus spp., while Escherichia coli was absent in all the water samples. Total viable counts obtained were from 14cfu/mL to 147cfu/mL and total coliform counts ranges from 1cfu/mL to 3cfu/mL. These outcomes showed that water stored in hostel’s poly-tanks especially ones that have not been washed over long period of time contains bacteria species that make it unsafe for direct consumption without further treatment. The bacteriological assessment of water stored in hostel tanks within and around C. K. T. UTAS revealed that, although faecal coliforms and E. coli were absent, the presence of total coliforms and other bacteria such as Bacillus spp., Klebsiella spp., Staphylococcus spp. and Micrococcus spp. are evidence of secondary contamination that occurs due to poor storage and handling. The findings showed the need for regular cleaning and monitoring of water storage tanks to prevent waterborne diseases.