A Comparative Assessment of the Physicochemical and Microbiological Qualities of Some Drinking Water Sources in Diobu, Portharcourt, Nigeria

Diseases caused as a results of drinking contaminated water pose a severe risk to the public's health. In the current study, various drinking water sources in Diobu, Port Harcourt, were evaluated and their microbiological and physicochemical characteristics were compared. Drinking water samples were collected from a borehole and a sachet (packaged) source. Physicochemical and bacteriological investigations were conducted using standard analytical techniques. The results of physiochemical parameters revealed that sachet water samples had higher pH values than borehole water. The borehole water samples had a mean pH of 4.37±1.21 which was much lower than the W.H.O.- recommended range (6.5-8.5). The study’s Total Suspended Solids readings were within the permissible limits of 30.0 mg/l. The borehole samples had the highest concentration of 6.5±4.31mg/l, while the sachet water samples had the lowest concentration of 2.5±1.5 mg/l. Total Dissolved Solids ranged between 15.8±13.5mg/l in sachet water and 55.6±33.4 mg/l in samples from boreholes. The Electrical Conductivity values were recorded as 33.5±28.4 µScm-1 in sachet water and 136.6±73.9 µScm-1 in borehole water. The mean total alkalinity value in sachet water was 0.57±0.29 mg/l whereas in borehole water, it was 3.29±1.39 mg/l. For sachet water and borehole water, the levels of water hardness ranged from 1.95±0.84 mg/l to 10.67±3.21 mg/l, respectively. The range of biological oxygen demand was < 1±0.00 (for sachet water) to 2.13±13 (for borehole water). Dissolved oxygen levels ranged from 1.72±0.70 mg/l in sachet water to 1.95±0.62 mg/l in borehole water. Chemical oxygen demand levels ranged from 2.38±1.18mg/l (Sachet water) to 11.31±9.49 (Borehole water) while Turbidity ranged from <1±0.00 NTU (Sachet water) to 1.1±0.64 NTU (Borehole water). Except for Chemical Oxygen Demand, there was no difference in the values that were observed that was significant at P≥ 0.05 in this study. The mean total bacterial counts ranged from 2.0 x 104 CFU/ml in sachet water to 9.0 x104 CFU/ml in borehole water, demonstrating high levels of contamination in the borehole water from human contamination. Comparatively to the other water sources, sachet water had the lowest overall bacterial and coliform levels. However, because the bacteriological values for total coliform counts was above the WHO threshold of zero per 100 ml, they did not comply with international standards. Salmonella spp., Pseudomonas spp., Staphylococcus spp., and Escherichia coli were the pathogenic bacteria of public health significance that were isolated from the diverse water samples. Five distinct isolates of fungi, including Penicillium spp., Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Trichoderma spp., and Mucor spp., were found. In comparison to borehole water, which had the most bacterial pollutants, sachet water tests had the fewest. It is advised that the water sources be treated before being used for any domestic purposes as the water sources in this research area are not suitable for human consumption.