Bacteriological Investigation of Pond Water Quality from Ogoniland, Nigeria

A bacteriological study of three ponds in Uegwere Bo-ue community, Khana Local Government Area, of Rivers State, Nigeria were investigated to evaluate the water quality of the ponds. Surface water samples were collected monthly for eight months covering both seasons and evaluated. Bacteriological analyses carried out includes: total heterotrophic bacteria counts(THBC), Total coliform counts(TCC), feacal coliform counts(FCC) and other water borne pathogens. The results of this study reveal high THBC, high TCC and FCC( Escherichia coli). The THBC which ranged from 1.7 x 10 to 6.5 X 10 CFU/ml for pond A, Pond B 1.3 X 10 to 2.5 X 10 CFU/ml while pond C had 2.2 X 10 to 4.0 X 10CFU/ml. Total coliform bacteria for pond A ranged between 120 and 1560MPN per 100ml of sample , 87 and 900MPN per100ml for pond B and pond C ranged 702 to 1200MPN per100ml. Faecal coliform ranged between 350 to 662MPN, 124 to 420MPN 120 to 280MPN per 100ml. Bacteria of public health importance like E. coli, Salmonella sp and Shigella sp were also detected, which suggests possible faecal contamination. Higher bacterial loads were observed in the rainy than the dry seasons. The frequency of occurrence is as follows: E. coli 17%, Salmonella 14.5%, Streptococcus 4.4%, Bacillus 9.4%, Pseudomonas 8.7%, Micrococcus 5.8%, Shigella 7. 3%, Enterobacter 11%, Klebsiella 5.8%, Proteus 3% and Staphylococcus 13%. With pond A having the highest bacterial population, while pond C had the least both in the rainy and dry seasons. Statistically, there are no significant differences (P<0.05) between all studied locations. From the results of this investigation, there’s need to monitor the water quality from time to time to detect the actual source of contamination and also to pass the water through a form of treatment to prevent epidemic outbreak, since the values obtained are far above the WHO and SON(Standard Organisation of Nigeria) guidelines for water intended for domestic use. There’s need for pretreatment before use for domestic purposes.