Bacteriological quality of water samples in Osogbo Metropolis

The bacteriological qualities of samples of some sachet water, tap water and well water were examined. Some physicochemical parameters (pH and suspended solids) indicative of water quality as well as the total bacterial and total coliform counts were examined. The pH of the samples range between 6.5 and 7.2. Suspended solids content ranged between 3.3 and 18.5 x 10-2 g/ml. The total bacterial counts ranged between 7.0 to 12.0 x 101 CFU/ml for sachet water, 0 to 20 CFU/ml for tap water and 2.0 to 20 x 103 CFU/ml for well water. The coliform count (MPN) ranged between 0 to 1 coliform/100ml for sachet water, 0 to150 coliform/100 ml for tap water and 1200 to 1800 coliform/100ml for well water. A total of six bacterial species: Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, Proteus vulgaris, Streptococcus faecalis, Enterobacter aerogenes and Staphylococcus aureus were isolated. Their distribution among the samples and the public health implication are discussed. The well water samples examined were found to fall short of the WHO recommendation for drinking water, while the tap water was adjudged fit for consumption. African Journal of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology Vol. 6 (3) 2005: 219-22