Asian Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology

Water quality generally means the component of water which must be present for optimum functioning of life. It is made up of physical, chemical and biological factors which influence the use of water. Safe drinking water is essential to ensure public health, hence the study was conducted to assess the physicochemical and bacteriological qualities of borehole water near dumpsites in student hostels within the University environment of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli Campus, Nigeria. Three boreholes situated within student lodges were sampled. The physicochemical analysis was carried out using standard analytical techniques and bacteriological analysis was determined by dilution and membrane filtration method. From the result, the total bacteria count ranged from 1.42 x 10⁴ to 3.70 x 10⁴cfu/100mL, whereas the total coliform count ranged from 25 to 107 cfu/100mL. The isolates were identified as Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Klebsiella pnuemoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. From the result of the physicochemical evaluation, the pH value ranges from 5.41-5.94, conductivity from 16.19 μS/cm -59.60 μS/cm, TDS from 8.10 mg/L- 29.80 mg/L, salinity from 0.02 - 0.03 PCU, chlorides from 4.999 mg/L - 9.997 mg/L, sulphate from 32.928 - 53.508 mg/L, nitrate from 6.99 mg/L - 8.62 mg/L. High concentrations of arsenic and Lead were detected in the borehole water samples, with values above WHO permissible limit. Other heavy metals such as zinc, chromium, copper, manganese and selenium were not detected in the three water samples analyzed. Although the values of the physicochemical properties were in low concentrations, the presence of the identified bacteria calls for improved sanitary conditions of the student lodges, especially as regards to waste disposal and management. The students and locals should be educated on the importance of safe drinking water and proper management of wastes.