Physico-Chemical and Microbiological Quality of Groundwater used in Asaba, Southern Nigeria

Abstract

Groundwater which is stored water below the ground is a highly significant resource for the provision of good quality drinking water. However, the utility of water is more or less limited by its quality which makes it unsuitable for particular purposes. Assessment of water quality is therefore an important aspect of water resources survey. Hence, the research was undertaken to determine the microbial and physicochemical qualities of ground water used for the commercial production of sachet/bottle water in Asaba, Nigeria. Groundwater samples (borehole water) were collected from three different areas within Asaba. The physicochemical parameters were determined such as pH, temperature, turbidity, conductivity, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, total alkalinity, biological oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, dissolved oxygen, total organic carbon, sulphate, nitrate, and phosphate. The heavy metal concentration was also determined, and the results were compared with the standards prescribed by the WHO and Nigerian authorities. Total heterotrophic bacteria and the fungi counts of the water samples were ascertained by pour plate method as described by Chessbrough. The assessed groundwater samples from the 3 sites had physicochemical properties whose levels were generally within tolerant and safety levels with the exception of the heavy metal Cadmium which was at elevated and above safety standard tolerant levels. The bacterial and fungal microbial isolates were at intolerable elevated level which is above recommended standards in all samples. It is recommended that all levels of government should provide potable water to her citizen and also embark on consistent routine monitoring of groundwater in urban and rural areas in order to ascertain the state and quality of the water.