Bacterial Antibiogram and Physicochemical Parameters of Well Water in Iworoko-Ekiti, Nigeria

Introduction: Water is very essential for human survival. In fact, water defines some countries; it is so important that nations which do not have high quality and enough quantity have gone to war over it. However, as important as water is, not all water is drinkable.

Objective: The objective of the study is to determine the potability of some selected raw well water sample in Iworoko-Ekiti, Nigeria.

Methodology: Routine bacteriological analyses of the water samples were carried out to identify and quantify the bacteria present in them. Antibiotic sensitivity pattern of the isolated bacteria was also determined using pour plate method. Assessment of physicochemical parameters (pH, temperature, total dissolved solids, conductivity, turbidity, biochemical oxygen demand, dissolved oxygen) and mineral constituents (Ca2+, Na+, Mg2+, Pb2+, Cu2+ and Cr+) were carried out on the water samples using standard chemical methods.

Results: The results of bacterial water analyses revealed that the bacteria with highest percentage of occurrence were Klebsiella pneumoniae (41.40%) followed by Escherichia coli (19.54%) while the least value (5.75%) was recorded against Staphylococcus aureus. Antibiotics susceptibility test showed zones of inhibition that ranged from 3.33±0.33 mm to 28.67+1.15 mm against Bacillis subtilis and Proteus mirabilis respectively. Physicochemical tests revealed that the pH of the water samples ranged from 5.4 to 6.3. Also, the conductivity ranged from 54 us/cm -743 us/cm. Highest biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) recorded was (2.40 mg/L) whereas lowest value was 0.80 mg/L. Sulphate concentrations of the well water samples ranged from 777.92 mg/L to 1078.28 mg/L. Highest value recorded in sodium content was 130.00 mg/L while the least was 70.24 mg/L. Potassium also had highest value of 162.10 mg/L against 71.30 mg/L which was the least.

Conclusion: This study revealed that the well waters are not fit for drinking purpose due to the presence of some pathogenic bacteria that could cause illness.