Physicochemical and bacteriological study of an urban stream in Bida north-central Nigeria

Abstract

Freshwater pollution by human activities is becoming a matter of urgent concern as it threatened it productivities and sustainability. This study was carried out to assess the physicochemical and bacteriological study of Water from Chikke Stream, Bida, Niger State, Nigeria. Samples were collected using standard method and procedure. The result showed all the measured physiochemical parameter differs significantly (p<0.05) among the sampled station except water temperature and pH which does not show significant difference (p>0.05) among sampling stations. A total of four (4) bacteria species were isolated with three-gram negative species namely; Klebsiella sp., Escherichia coli and Shigella sp. While Staphylococcus aureus is the only gram-positive species. Station 2 and 3 recorded the presence of four bacteria species while station 1 recorded the presence of three bacteria species. The presence of these species of bacteria in the stream is indication of poor water quality as a result of incessant anthropogenic factors such as agricultural activities and faecal contamination around the water body. Overall, there is need to minimize anthropogenic activities in or around water bodies for effective utilization of this unique resources