Assessment of Coliform Bacteria in Sokoto Metropolis' Public Portable Water Supply: Implications for Health and the Environment

Public water systems must provide reliable, safe drinking water 24/7 to prevent contamination and illness. Regular testing for coliform bacteria is crucial to ensure clean, dependable water for the public. This study aimed to find coliforms in the public water supply in the Sokoto Metropolis. Eight (8) sterile bottles were used to collect eight (8) water samples, two samples from each of the four water treatment plants in Gagi, Arkilla, Wamakko, and Tashar Illela. As directed by the manufacturer, nutrient agar media, MacCkonkey, and Eosine methylene blue were produced. Standard procedures were followed for the isolates' verification and isolation. The result of this study has shown that the sample obtained from Gagi water production had the highest total mean count (25.9 × 106 CFU/ml). The sample obtained from Arkilla had the lowest total mean count of 4.7 × 105 CFU/ml, and the total coliform (MPN) recorded indicated that the samples obtained from Wamakko had the highest Most probable number (14/100ml). In contrast, the samples obtained from Arkilla had the lowest coliform count (6/100ml). The bacteria identified include Shigella spp (12.5%), Pseudomonas aeruginous (37.5%), Staphylococcus aureus (12.5%), Enterobacter spp (12.5%) and Salmonella spp (25%). Improvements to the environmental conditions in the research location and regular testing by the treatment facilities for coliforms are advised to create better water.