Evaluation of the Potability of Water Sources in Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

Studies on the bacteriological and physico-chemical characteristics of different water sources in Yakurr, Cross River State, Nigeria was carried out using American Public Health Association standard procedures for physico-chemical analyses of water and standard biochemical and microbiological protocol for the analysis of water for faecal and total coliform enumeration. Average temperature, pH, turbidity and conductivity of the samples ranged from 26.90+0.02°C-27.88+0.02°C; 5.00+0.02-6.38+0.03; 3.05+0.01NTU-30.41+0.01NTU and 29.01+0.01μs/cm-72.76+0.01μs/cm respectively. BOD5, TDS and iron concentration ranged from 6.00+0.02mg/l-10.69+0.01mg/l; 18.24+0.01mg/l-43.63+0.03mg/l and 0.32+0.01mg/l-1.51+0.01mg/l respectively. Total coliform count of the sample from Kesekpang-Ekori had the highest value of 78.00+3.61cfu/100ml, followed by Sokol-Ugep and Mgbeke-Mkpani samples with values of 62.00+3.00cfu/100ml and 38.33+2.52cfu/100ml respectively. The sample from Nkinforna had the least coliform count of 10.00+2.00cfu/100ml. Sample from Ekori River had the highest THBC value of 2.13+0.31x106cfu/ml, Kesekpang-Ekori and Sokol-Ugep samples had 1.10+0.17x106cfu/ml and 1.03+0.06x106cfu/ml respectively. Mgbeke-Mkpani sample had the least valve of 7.00+1.00x105cfu/ml. A total of nine bacterial species were isolated, they were Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Proteus vulgaris, Serratia maecesen, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., Enterobacter cloacae and Micrococcus leteus. The study had revealed a high level of poor quality sources of water in Yakurr and makes need for urgent health intervention by relevant body. Keywords: Potability, water quality, bacteriological quality, physico-chemical characteristics and total coliform count