MICROBIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF BOREHOLES, SACHET AND BOTTLE WATER IN AYOBO, LAGOS

Abstract

The physicochemical and bacteriological quality of borehole, bottle and sachet water sold within Ayobo community Lagos state, Nigeria was investigated. Microbiological analysis was carried out using standard microbial procedure to ensure that the water is microbiologically safe. It was screened for the presence of coliforms and other pathogenic microorganisms. The total heterotrophic bacterial count for bottle, sachet and borehole water are 16.50-123.50 x 10³CFU/ml, 65.00-73.00 x 10³CFU/ml and 0.00-72.00 x 10³CFU/ml respectively while the total heterotrophic fungal count for bottle, sachet and borehole water are 5.00-54.50 x 10³CFU/ml, 11.00-27.50 x 10³CFU/ml and 6.00-16.16.00 x 10³CFU/ml respectively. Most probable number was determined using membrane filtration method and it ranged from 15MPN/100ml, 22MPN/100ml, and 27MPN/100 ml for bottle, sachet and borehole water respectively.  The mean total coliform per 100ml ranged from 22-30 x 10³CFU/ml while fecal coliform ranged from 4-11 x 10³CFU/ml. The isolated organisms were Salmonella paratyphi, Shigella flexneri, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Escherichia coli, Citrobacter freudii, Salmonella paratyphi, Aspergillus candidus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus sulphureus and Penicillium corylophilum.  Most of the bacteria isolated showed multidrug resistance to Augmentin, Gentamycin, Pefloxacin, Tarivid, Streptomycin, Septrin, Chloramphenicol and Amoxacillin and showed susceptibility to Ciprofloxacin. The study therefore concludes that these water samples do not meet the WHO standards for potable water; hence they can be potential sources of waterborne diseases.