ASSESSMENT OF PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND BACTERIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF DOMESTIC DRINKING WATER STORED IN CLAY POTS FROM BIRNIN KEBBI, NIGERIA.

BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

Drinking water can become contaminated after being collected from communal sources such as wells, tap stands, and boreholes, as well as while being stored at home. The physicochemical and bacteriological examination of drinking water stored in clay pots in Birnin Kebbi town was carried out in this study to determine the extent of the contamination. A total of twelve (12) water samples were randomly collected from various households. These water samples were tested for physicochemical properties and Bacteriological tests. The spread plate technique was used to determine the total viable count, while the multiple tube fermentation technique was used to determine the most probable number (MPN) of coliforms. All the sampled water was clear in appearance, the color was less than 1.0, mean temperature ranges from 19.25 °C to 20.26°C, mean pH ranges from 7.80 to 6.71, mean turbidity ranges from 10.7NTU – 4.50 NTU, and mean Total Dissolve Solids ranged from 62.53(Mg/L) to 41.66(Mg/L). When compared to World Health Organization (WHO) standards, pH, temperature, color, and appearance were all lower, while turbidity was higher. The mean range for the total coliform count was 150 cfu/100ml to 35 cfu/100ml while the mean range for the total viable count is 11.1×103 CFU/100 mL -1.4×103 CFU/100 mL. Five samples (41.70%) had coliform count above the recommended limit set by WHO whereas, seven samples (58.30%) were below the limits. The isolated organisms were identified as Escherichia coli, Enterococcus spp., Proteus spp., and Pseudomonas spp. The study found that coliform counts in some samples were within acceptable limits, while others exceeded them. As a result, precautions should be taken to avoid placing potentially contaminated items such as hands, cups, or ladles into stored water. Additionally, periodic cleaning and disinfection of storage pots are highly recommended to prevent contamination.

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