Bacteriological Quality Determination of Borehole Water Supply in Hostels of Rivers State University Main Campus, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract

Water serves as a vehicle for the transmission of various diseases to man and animals, and have been associated with both acute and chronic health syndromes. This study was carried out to determine the bacteriological quality of borehole water supply in the Hostels of Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.  Borehole water samples were collected from six (6) hostels for each study period, and subjected to standard bacteriological Procedures. Results obtained indicated that the highest mean total heterotrophic bacterial count of 3.6±1.7 X 105cfu/ml was recorded in the Hostel C water sample, while the least mean bacterial count of 5.5±0.35 X 104cfu/ml was observed in FCMB Hostel. The total coliform count had the highest value (3.3±3.82 X 104cfu/ml) recorded in Hostel D and the lowest value of 2.0±0.14 X 103cfu/ml was obtained in the Hostel H water sample. The faecal coliform count recorded the highest value in FCMB Hostel (1.5±0.71X 103 cfu/ml) and lowest in Hostel H (8.5±4.95 X 103 cfu/ml). The staphylococcal count was highest in Hostel B (8±9.9 X 104 cfu/ml) and lowest in Hostel C (0.6±0.57 X 104cfu/ml). Six bacterial species were identified, which included Bacillus spp (100%), Staphylococcus spp (100%), Pseudomonas spp (83.3%), Klebsiella spp. (66.6%), Salmonella spp (16.6%) and Escherichia coli (16.6%). Data obtained showed that all the isolates were biofilm producers, albeit at varying percentages, as 52.9%, 55.5%, 60%, 30%, 33.3%, and 100% of Bacillus spp, Staphylococcus spp., Pseudomonas spp., Klebsiella spp., Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli, respectively were positive for biofilm formation. The hemolysis result indicated that 28.3%, 10%, and 61.7% of the isolates were alpha, beta and gamma hemolytic, respectively. The study indicated the presence of bacteria of public health importance, thereby, making the need for regular monitoring and treatment of these water sources very necessary to check bacterial proliferation and ensure continuous access to safe water in the hostels.