BACTERIAL QUALITY OF RAINWATER IN SELECTED COMMUNITIES IN IMO STATE, NIGERIA

Authors

  • J. N. Okereke
  • K. O. Obasi
  • S. O. Obiekezie
  • R. I. Okechukwu

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7213/reb.v28i63.22723

Keywords:

Bacterial quality, Coliforms, Contamination, Handling, Harvesting, Potable, Rainwater, Waterborne

Abstract

Many rural communities in Imo State, Eastern Nigeria do not have access to potable water. Rainwater has been a major source of water supply in these areas mainly during the rains. Bacterial quality of harvested rainwater from three communities (Umunumo, Egbema, Ihiagwa) were determined. Rainwater samples were harvested directly, from zinc roof, thatched roof and from asbestos roof, at different periods of the rains – May (beginning of rains), July (peak of rain) and October (end of rains). Stored rainwater from zinc roof in Umunumo was also examined. The bacterial count was high at the beginning of rains with rainwater collected from thatched roof in Egbema showing the highest (7.4 x 103 cfu/100ml) value. The total coliform and faecal coliform (Escherichia coli) counts ranged highest at the beginning of rains between 10 – 36 cfu/ 100ml and 1 – 5 cfu/100ml respectively. The total bacterial counts, total coliform counts and faecal coliform counts of stored rainwater were highest in samples from underground tank. Samples collected directly at the peak and end of rains in all the communities met the WHO standard for drinking water. Using a statistical model, at a = 0.05, the null hypothesis, was rejected for methods and period of collection, while location of collection was accepted, hence only period and method of collection of rainwater affected the bacterial quality.

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Published

2006-11-24

How to Cite

Okereke, J. N., Obasi, K. O., Obiekezie, S. O., & Okechukwu, R. I. (2006). BACTERIAL QUALITY OF RAINWATER IN SELECTED COMMUNITIES IN IMO STATE, NIGERIA. Revista Estudos De Biologia, 28(63). https://doi.org/10.7213/reb.v28i63.22723

Issue

Section

Fluxo Contínuo