Study of some physicochemical and bacteriological characteristics of drinking water in three selected rural communities in Wamba, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Access to safe drinking water remains a challenge in rural Nigeria. This study was carried out to determine physicochemical and bacteriological characteristics of drinking water in three rural communities in Wamba, Nasarawa State. A cross-sectional survey was conducted, 5 water samples were in respective cases collected from stream, well and borehole sources. Standard techniques were used for physicochemical analysis. Total viable counts, Total Staphylococcal counts, Total coliforms & Feacal coliforms in the samples were obtained using pour plate method, growth on Mannitol salt agar, growth on MacConkey agar and Eosin Methylene Blue agar respectively. Stream Water had higher values for physicochemical parameters. Stream water exhibited the highest bacterial counts, followed by well and borehole water. The Bacteria isolated were Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas spp, Klebsiella spp, Proteus spp and Salmonella spp. The acid lability attributes of the isolates were determined using Nutrient Agar buffered with (4-(2- Hydroxyethyl)-1- piperazineethanesulfonic acid) and Lipase activity was assessed using Trypticase soy agar supplemented with 1% Tween 80. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS-PC statistical package, with a p-value of < 0.05 it was considered statistically significant. These findings indicate contamination of drinking water sources, posing health risk to consumers and it shows the need for water treatment, monitoring & public health education in rural communities.