Assessment of Physiochemical and Bacteriological Quality of Water Supply for Domestic Use in Student Hostels in Nigerian University

Abstract The study examined the consistency in quality of water supply within the student halls of residence in a Nigerian University. The water samples were collected at four different points along the supply chain for three months and both physicochemical and bacteriological tests were conducted on the samples based on World Health Organization (WHO) and Nigeria Standard for Drinking Water (NSDW) standards concurrently. The results of the physicochemical test showed that all the samples were within the WHO and NSDW specified permissible range except their pH (4.57-6.00). However, the bacteriological results revealed that the Escherichia Coli (E. coli) of all samples (2, 2, 4 and 28cfu/100ml) were not acceptable. In addition, the fecal coliform results of two samples (0cfu/100ml) were within WHO and NSDW permissible limit values while other samples (1,2 cfu/100ml) were contaminated by some measure of fecal element. Nevertheless, the results of Total Coliform samples of two points were 0&3cfu/100ml therefore within the acceptable limit range but, the remaining two samples points (TNTC) were not acceptable. One of the influences on the result of the bacteriological is the closeness of the water supply pipes to the sewage pipes. In conclusion, the bacteriological standard required by both WHO and NSDW was not satisfied in the water supply to the halls of residents. Therefore there is an urgent need for the treatment of water supply against the presence of fecal elements to forestall liable diseases for sustainable health. Keywords: bacteriological test, physicochemical test, water, Nigerian university, WHO, NSD