Microbial Bioload of Some Tap Water Samples from Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria

Contaminated water has been a source from which infectious diseases are spread in urban areas. Sterile sample bottles were used to collect tap water samples from eleven different locations in Enugu, capital city of Enugu State. Viable bacterial count using surface agar diffusion method was used to estimate and isolate viable organisms. Gram character, coliform count using multiple tube/most probable number technique and colony characteristics of organisms were used to arrive at our result. Bacteriological screening on all sample groups indicated the presence of microorganism in tap water available in all eleven locations. Further characterization using biochemical methods revealed the absence of E. coli, and the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Shigella species and Salmonella species in sample groups collected. Suggestions were proffered as to the methods of avoiding possible epidemic as a result of operating water supply unit which fall below WHO standards.Keywords: microbial bioload, tap water, Enugu, bacteriological screening, coliformNigerian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, Vol. 8 No 1 pp. 56 - 61 (September 2010)