Bacteriological and Physicochemical Qualities of Household Water Supply Sources from Two Towns in Ikorodu Suburb of Lagos State, Nigeria

Groundwater has been identified as a major source of drinking water in Nigeria. However, increase in human activities is known to contaminate and deteriorate the quality of this source of water. This study evaluated the bacteriological and physicochemical qualities of household water supply sources from two towns in the Ikorodu suburb of Lagos State, Nigeria. A total of sixty (60) groundwater samples were collected from Imota and Isiwu communities. Total Heterotrophic Bacteria Count (THBC), Total Coliform Count (TCC), and faecal coliform detection in the water samples were carried out using standard microbiological methods. pH, conductivity, Total Dissolved Solid (TDS), and salinity of the water samples were determined using an Ionix PC 50 multi-meter. THBC of the samples from Imota town ranged from 0 - >300 cfu/mL, TCC ranged from 0 - >1100 MPN/100mL, and fecal coliforms were detected in 93.3% (28/30) of the samples, while THBC of samples from Isiwu town ranged from 5 - >300 cfu/mL, TCC ranged from 3 - >1100 MPN/100mL, and fecal coliforms were detected in 76.7% (24/30). The TCC showed that 96.7% (29/30) and 100% (30/30) of the water samples from Imota and Isiwu, respectively, contain coliforms, and the TCC of the water samples was far above the WHO standard for drinking water. The pH of the water samples was below the WHO standards of 6.5 - 8.5. This study showed the high contamination and poor bacteriological quality of the groundwater sources in the two communities. Therefore, there is a need for orientation and interventions in the community to safeguard public health.