Bacteriological Quality Assessment of Community Well Water in Selected Areas of Ogun State, Nigeria
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Abstract
Background: Safe drinking water is essential for human health; however, contamination of community wells by pathogenic microorganisms remains a major public health concern in many developing countries. This work was aimed at determining the bacteriological quality of well water from some selected communities; Ikenne, Lemme and Idi-Aba in Ogun state.
Methods: Twelve well water samples collected from selected communities in Ogun State, Nigeria, were analyzed for pH and bacteriological quality using standard microbiological techniques including total viable count, Gram staining, selective culture methods, and biochemical characterization.
Results: The depth of the wells ranged from 7.2 to 15.0 m, while pH values ranged from 3.5 to 13.2. Escherichia coli was isolated from all samples (100%), Klebsiella species from 75% of samples, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa from 25% of samples. Total viable bacterial counts ranged from 1.4 × 10³ to 7.0 × 10³ CFU/mL, exceeding WHO permissible limits for potable water.
Conclusion: The presence of coliform bacteria and elevated microbial loads indicated fecal contamination of the examined wells, rendering the water unsafe for human consumption without treatment.
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