Bacteriological and physicochemical analysis of drinking water sources in some parts of Nneato in Umunneochi local government of Abia State, Nigeria

Many rural dwellers who drink water fetched from springs, rivers, and streams are at risk of experiencing waterborne diseases. This study investigated the bacteriological and physicochemical quality of drinking water sources in selected parts of Nneatọ in Umunneochi local government area of Abia state. A total of four water samples were obtained from ọhịị Eziọba spring (OES), ọhịị Ụmụacha stream (OUS), Iyi mbara river (IMR), and Obulụlọ river (OLR). The microbiological evaluations carried out on the water samples include total heterotrophic bacterial count (THBC) and total coliform count (TCC). Bacterial isolates were identified using conventional standard microbiological techniques. Physicochemical properties analysed include pH, conductivity, acidity, colour, chloride, magnesium, calcium, iron, suspended solids, turbidity and total hardness The result of the study revealed that the total heterotrophic bacterial count (THBC)for OES, OUS, IMR and OLR were 1.0×105 CFU/ml, 1.5×105 CFU/ml, 1.9×105 CFU/ml and 2.0×105 CFU/ml, respectively. The highest THBC was obtained in OLR while the lowest was encountered in OES. Total coliform count (TCC) of the water samples – OES, OUS, IMR, OLR were 28, 36, 710 and 1100 MPN/100 ml, respectively. OES has the lowest TCC while the highest TCC was observed in OLR. The percentage occurrence of the bacterial isolates includes Staphylococcus aureus (13.33%), Salmonella sp. (13.33%), Escherichia coli (13.33%), Klebsiella sp. (13.33%), Vibrio cholerae (13.33%), Enterobacter aerogenes (13.33%), Pseudomonas sp. (10%), and Shigella sp. (10%). The physicochemical properties were within the World Health Organization (WHO) limit, with the exception of colour (slightly clear), conductivity (500-685 µs/cm), acidity (0.4-0.8), and pH (4.02- 5.30). THBC and TCC were equally above the WHO and National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) stipulated limits for water safety. The outcome of this study reveals that the sampled water sources were heavily contaminated with potential pathogenic bacteria and feacal matters as well as other agricultural waste materials. Thus, the water sources are unsafe for drinking and other domestic purposes. Therefore, public health enlightenment campaign through allforms of media, provision of alternative water sources such as borehole water with a treatment plant for the residents of Nneato town will avert the outbreak of waterborne diseases.