Assessment of Bacteria Associated with Household Wells in a Slum Community, Minna, Niger State

Abstract

Water occupies about 71% of the earth's surface and yet it is one of the scarcest commodities, especially in the developing countries of the world. This study aimed to assess bacteria present in household wells in a slum community in Minna, Niger state. A total of ten (10) water samples were collected from household wells in a slum community (Dutsen Kura Hausa), Minna, Niger State. The samples were analyzed using the membrane filtration technique and pour plate method to assess the bacteriological quality of the water source. The results showed that the total viable counts ranged from 1.9×103 to 7.2 103 Cfu/ml, total coliform counts ranged from100 Cfu/100ml to 627 Cfu/100ml, faecal coliform counts ranged from 58 Cfu/100ml to 550 Cfu/100ml and Salmonella Shigella counts ranged from 0 to 1.1×103 Cfu/ml respectively. The coliform counts as well as Salmonella Shigella counts were high and exceeded the acceptable maximum limit prescribed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ). The bacteria isolated from the household Wells were Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella spp., Lactobacillus spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella spp., Bacillus spp., and Enterobacter spp. Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were frequently detected and constituted 17.4%. The results of this study revealed the potential health hazard posed by the pathogens in the water source and therefore, there is a need to provide a portable water supply to the slum dwellers.