Abstract:
Groundwater is generally considered a safe source of drinking water because it is abstracted
with low microbial load with little need for treatment before drinking. Bacteriological
assessment of boreholes and well waters in some selected locations within Akungba-Akoko,
Ondo state, Nigeria were studied to determine the level of contamination of drinking water
which might be responsible for the occurrence of water borne diseases. The study used standard
laboratory techniques for the water quality analysis and the results were evaluated based on the
benchmark standards of the World Health Organization and Nigerian Standard of Drinking
Water Quality. According to the borehole water analysis, the total bacterial count (TBC) was
extremely high in Akunmi 1, Ilale 1 and Okele boreholes and quite moderate in the other
locations but was lowest in Etioro. The variation showed that the bacteria counts in the wet
season where really high than those in the dry season. The total coliform count (TCC) and feacal
coliform counts (FCC) were constant in both seasons. The TCC and FCC of both seasons were
not more than the WHO and NSDWQ standards which is not above 10 cfu/ml. Therefore,
groundwater obtained from both boreholes and wells in Akungba-Akoko metropolis were
suitable for drinking and human consumption. |
