Comparative Analysis of the Microbial Content of Some Drinking Water Sources in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria

Introduction: The short falls in the distribution of treated pipe borne water leads to resort to alternative sources of drinking water. Comparative analysis of sachet, bottle and tap water supply sources in Port Harcourt Metropolis Rivers State, Nigeria, was conducted by applying culture dependent methods in order to examine their qualities.

Methodology: Ten (10) samples comprising 4 bottle water samples from Rumuodara (zone B), Elekahia (zone C), Orogbum (zone G), and Mgbuoba (zone I), 4 sachet water samples from Rumukurushi (zone A), Borokiri (zone M), Rumuepirikom (zone J), Mgbuoshimiri (zone K), and 2 tap water samples from Rivers State University hostels NDDC and C were analyzed using standard analytical techniques.

Results: Twenty-seven (27) bacterial isolates identified in 5 of the 10 water samples were 12 (45%) Escherichia coli, 8 (30%) Streptococcus species, 4 (15%) Klebsiella species and 3 (10%) Staphylococcus aureus respectively. Total Plate Count on sachet water samples ranged from 0.1 to 1.2 cfu/ml while that of the tap water was 2.0 to 2.9 cfu/ml. In sachet water, Staphylococcus aureus ranged from 0.1 to 0.2 cfu/ml, where as 1.2 cfu/ml colonies was recorded for Streptococcus species. In tap water Escherichia coli ranged from 0.3 cfu/ml to 1.8 cfu/ml, whereas 0.4 to 0.8 cfu/ml was recorded for Streptococcus species and Klebsiella species respectively.There was no bacteria growth in the bottle water.

Conclusion: The findings show that the drinking water sources did not meet the approved acceptable limits of the World Health Organization (WHO) for drinking water though there was no growth of indicator organisms in the samples and no difference in the physicochemical variables. It is recommended that sachet and tap water supply in Port Harcourt Metropolis be properly treated before human consumption and other domestic purposes.