Bacteriological Quality of Well Water in Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria

Background and Objective: Water is the most common liquid on our planet, vital to all life forms. It is a chemical substance with the chemical formula H₂O. It is a molecule containing one oxygen and two hydrogen atoms combined by covalent bonds. This study aims to assess the bacteriological quality of well water in Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria, to determine its suitability for consumption and potential health risks. Materials and Methods: Four different wall water samples were collected from four different wells in some quarters at Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria. The different well water samples collected were taken to the Microbiology Laboratory of Saint Kenny Diagnostic and Research Center for analysis. The microbiological quality of well water in Ekpoma was investigated using standard bacteriological methods. Microbiological tests were conducted on the sample to detect the types and number of heterotrophic and coliform bacteria in it. The coliform count of the well water samples was determined using the multiple tube techniques and the Eijkman test for differentiation of Escherichia coli. Results: The mean total viable count/heterotrophic plate count of the water samples ranged from 3.35×10⁶-5.30×10⁸ (cfu/mL), and the total coliform count is within the range of <2-9/100 mL of the water samples. The bacteria isolated include Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, and Salmonellasp.,Shigellasp.,Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis, Vibrio cholerae,andVibrio parahaemolyticus. The presence of these microorganisms (bacteria) in well water samples is of public health importance. Conclusion: The number of coliform bacteria recorded in the study is higher and falls short of the WHO standard. It implies that the well water did not meet the World Health Organization standard for drinking water, hence the water needs to be boiled or filtered before drinking to avoid waterborne diseases in the Ekpoma community.