This study examines the effect of agrochemical used for faming in the Galma Dam area on the quality of water in the reservoir and well water around the reservoir. Nine sampling points upstream of the Galma Dam were randomly selected for the study. Also, six hand dug wells in use by adjacent communities were identified for ground water samples. The study covered the period July to September 2011. All measurements were in accordance with the Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater. The parameters measured and their mean concentrations from the reservoir are in the order of: Chlorides (0.600 -0.900 mg/l); Nitrates (0.009 -0.019 mg/l); Bicarbonates; 0.444 -1.900 mg/l); Total Phosphates (0.173 -3.077 mg/l); Sulphates (0.617 -3.587 mg/l); and pH (6.4 -7.5). For the well water samples, the results ranged from 1.58 -3.10 mg/l; 0.14 -0.03 mg/l; 0.60 -2.73 mg/l; 0.08 -1.89 mg/l; 0.33 -2.66 mg/l and 6.05 -7.0 respectively in the order previously listed. The results were statistically analyzed using ANOVA at 95% confidence level. Chlorides showed no significant variation between sampling points but significant variation with dates of sampling for surface and well waters. Nitrates variations with both sampling points and dates of sampling were insignificant. Bicarbonates variations with sampling points and dates of sampling were highly significant. Total Phosphates and Sulphates variations with sampling points and dates of sampling were insignificant and significant respectively. pH values variations with sampling points and dates of sampling were insignificant and highly significant respectively. Generally, the mean concentrations are within the WHO maximum limits of the parameters in drinking water and recommendations were made regarding the use of agrochemicals for farming in the area.

Some sources of drinking water in Kari Estate in Bauchi Metropolis were analyzed for physicochemical contents and coliform contamination. A total of five samples were collected from different sources as follows: 2 sachets water, 2 wells, and tap water. The physicochemical analysis included the determinations of temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, turbidity, colour, suspended solids, odour, taste, total hardness, iron, nitrate, nitirite, manganese, ammonia, fluoride and cyanide. The two wells had total coliforms of 6 and 10 and faecal coliforms of 4 and 5 respectively. Tap water had total and faecal coliforms of 7 and 3 respectively. E. coli were identified in the samples from wells while Bacillus sp. were found in the tap water. Although the physicochemical contents of the samples were normal range, coliform counts of the wells and tap water were above those set by the Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) and the World Health Organization (WHO) standards. Presence coliforms above the standards indicates contamination and that the water may be unsafe for drinking. The presence of E. coli suggests that improvement in monitoring and water hygiene practices should be employed to improve the drinking water quality.

Drinking water samples from 5 sachet water companies, 3 boreholes and 2 taps, collected from different locations of Dutse Metropolis of Jigawa State, Nigeria were analysed for coliform bacterial counts using the Membrane Filtration Technique. All the samples contained some amounts of total coliforms, but mostly within permissible levels. Thirty three percent (33%) of the samples from borehole, 60% from sachet water and 100% from the taps contained faecal coliforms, which indicates contamination. Cultures of the faecal coliforms obtained were morphologically identified using the gram-staining procedure and some series of biochemical tests were carried out in order to identify the organisms. The identified organisms were Escherichia coli (E. coli), Klebsiella sp. and Citrobacter sp. Presence of coliforms above the regulatory set standards indicates contamination and un-safeness of the water for drinking. Presence of organisms such as E. coli, Klebsiella sp. and Citrobacter sp. necessitates improvement in monitoring and water hygiene practices to improve the quality of drinking water in the study area.