MICROBIAL CONTAMINATION OF WATER STORED IN EARTHEN POTS

WITHIN UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE ENVIRONS
Akande, T., and Agbulu C.O
Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science
University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria
E-mail: atitilayo@ymail.com
ABSTRACT
Microbial analysis of water stored in different earthen pots was carried
out in Iorkume, Shamija and Leva-Amor villages which are amongst the
villages that make up the host communities of University of Agriculture
Makurdi. Sixty (60) samples of water obtained from various sources such
as University of Agriculture Water Works, streams and wells were
collected randomly from the three villages studied for identification and
characterization of possible microbial contaminants and to determine its
suitability for domestic uses. The viable counts of the samples analyzed
ranged between 1×10-6 and 18×10-6 cfu/ml. Nine (9) isolates were
identified from the samples which include: Staphylococcus aureus 33
(55%), Escherichia coli 65 (108%), Bacillus spp. 20 (33%), Klebsiella spp.
12 (20%) Mucor spp. 36 (60%) and Penicilliun spp. 19 (32%), Pseudomonas
spp 23(38%), Rhizopus spp. 54(90%), Candida spp. 23(38%) on average.
The presence of these organisms indicates a considerable level of
microbial contamination of water stored in earthen pots in the three
villages studied. Improvement in the basic hygienic practices in
acquisition and storage of water in these pots for domestic use and the
medical implications of the organisms identified is hereby suggested.