Sanitary Survey of Drinking Water Quality in Plateau State, Nigeria.

ABSTRACT

Background: Documented evidence confirmed that some infectious diseases are transmitted primarily through water contaminated with human and animal faeces. Developing countries suffer from more serious outbreaks of water borne diseases than other parts of the world. Some human pathogens associated with serious risk of diseases when consumed in contaminated water include; Salmonella typhi, Shigella dysenteriae, pathogenic Escherichia coli, Vibrio cholerae, Rota virus, Hepatitis A virus, Hepatitis E virus and Entamoeba histolytica among others. Aim: This study was carried out to assess the bacteriological quality of drinking water sources in Plateau state, since shortage/absence of potable water, has forced inhabitants to depend on stream, well and tap water as source of drinking water. Methodology: In the present study, ten (10) samples including four (4) streams, three (3) tap and 3 well drinking water samples were analyzed in triplicates for the presence of bacterial indicators of water quality. Bacteriological Analysis was done using; The Most Probable Number (MPN) of coliforms per 100millilitres of the water samples. This was determined by the multiple tube fermentation technique. The presumptive coliform test procedure, Confirmatory Test for Faecal Coliform was also performed. Results: All the water samples from the study area were contaminated, as coliform detected, exceeded the permissible limit recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) standard for drinking water. Conclusion: The findings therefore shows that all the water sources are not fit for human consumption and are hazardous to health, due to abnormal numbers of coliform count above the standard recommended by WHO. Hence there is a need for strict and routine monitoring of all the water sources in the study area with the view of raising their standards. In addition people should boil their water before consumption especially those using stream as their source of drinking water. Preventive public health measures should be reinforced among all communities’ particularly domestic animal handlers and pregnant women at all governmental levels. Potable water should be provided for all communities.