Evaluation of Physicochemical and Microbiological Characteristics of Borehole Water in Mgboushimini Community of Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

This research was carried out to determine the physicochemical and microbiological characteristics of groundwater in boreholes used as drinking water in Mgboushimini community in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State in Nigeria. Eight water samples (n=8) from different boreholes were collected randomly within the community. The total bacterial count and Coliform was determined by using the standard microbiological method and Most Probable Number (MPN) method. A total of four (4) genera of organisms were isolated from the water samples which included Proteus spp, Citrobacter spp, Klebsiellaspp, Candida spp. The mean value of Total Heterotrophic Bacterial count ranged from 1.1±0.14 to 7.9±0.07. The mean concentration of chloride, calcium, magnesium, and salinity were 10.79, 2.11, 0.47 and 0.21, respectively. The recorded pH, total alkalinity, temperature, and turbidity were 4.31 to 4.66, 4.00, 29.6 to 29.9, and 0.00 NTU, respectively. The electrical conductivity, total hardness, total dissolved solids, phosphate and sulphate, showed the mean value of 438±67.14, 7.18±1.99, 284.88±49.48 mg/l, 0.02±0.01 mg/l, 4.15±0.76 mg/l, respectively. These values were compared with the World Health Organization (WHO) standard values for drinking water quality. The microbiological and physicochemical result of the eight borehole water samples analysed did not meet the WHO standard, and therefore requires robust purification strategies to ensure a good potable drinking water in the community as to reduce the outbreak of water-borne infections.