Bacteriological Parameters of Obibia River in Amawbia, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State

Abstract

Nigeria has abundant surface and ground water, of which when polluted can be detrimental to human health. Obibia stream is an important water source in Amawbia-Nibo axis of Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria especially for its drinking purposes, urban agricultural usage and domestic uses. Water quality is often altered by anthropogenic activities, leachates and run off. It is therefore necessary to determine the influence of seasonal changes and its effects on the health of populace in this locality. The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of seasonal changes on the bacteriological and physicochemical parameters of Obibia stream. Water samples were randomly and aseptically drawn monthly from different locations from the water body and assessed for bacteriological qualities using standard microbiological techniques. The bacterial isolates were characterized using the morphological, biochemical and molecular characteristics. The prevalence of the implicated isolates was ascertained by determining the occurrences of the isolates in both rainy and dry seasons. The physicochemical parameters were assessed using gravimetric, titrimetric and instrumentation techniques. Bacteria isolates from sampling point were Escherichia coli strain T7E (ECT7E), Klebsiella pneumoniae strain GH27TC (KPGH27TC), Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serovar Typhi strain R27 (STR27), Enterobacter aerogenes strain KCTC (EAKCTC), Shigella dysteriae strain 53-3937 (SD53), Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PA01 (PAPA01), Staphylococcus aureus strain BPH2003 (SABPH2003), Enterococcus faecium strain E1774 (EFE1774), Vibrio cholerae strain C6706 (VCC6706) and Serratia marcescens strain SmUNAM836 (SMSm). ECT7E, STR27 and VCC6706 were mostly seen in both rainy and dry season. Therefore, adequate treatment before use and periodic evaluation of its bacteriological and physicochemical qualities are recommended