Comparative Study of Indicator Organisms in Different Water Sources in North Bank Area of Makurdi

Abstract

This study compared the presence of indicator organisms in different domestic water sources in the North Bank area of Makurdi. The water sources included stream waters, well waters, and borehole waters. Total bacteria count, total coliform count, microscopic examination, and biochemical tests were the parameters measured. The results obtained showed that all the different water sources had the presence of total bacteria and coliforms except the borehole water along Ter Guma Street (B1) which only showed the presence of total bacteria. The total bacteria count was found to be more (2.91 x 10⁷ cfu/ml) in the stream water samples along University of Agriculture Road (ST2) and least in B2 water samples (6.76 x 10⁶ cfu/ml) with no significant difference (p>0.05). Total coliform counts were found in all the water sources except in B1 water sample, while, the well water sample from Old Lafia Road (W2), had the highest total coliform count (1600 MPN/100 ml). Coliform isolates including Escherichia coli, Streptococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae were found in the water samples, with well water from Old Lafia Road (W2), having more of the isolates. This study reveals that all the water sources studied were contaminated by the presence of microorganisms including indicator organisms, above the recommended by WHO, for a domestic water source. Further study to investigate the physicochemical parameters of these water sources is suggested.