Original Articles
Igboasoiyi A. C., Iberi P. A.
Abstract
Fifteen different water samples sourced from various boreholes in Uyo Akwa Ibom State Nigeria were subjected to physicochemical and microbiological analyses using WHO standard methods. None of the samples met the World Health Organization (WHO) pH value standard. Apart from samples C, F, J and N which failed in content of calcium and or calcium carbonate, all the other eleven samples met the WHO standards for chemical content. Microbiological tests revealed one or more of the following organisms, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus albus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus species, Micrococcus species., Microsporum canis, Aspergillus terreus, Aspergillus niger and Geotrichum candidum in thirteen of the samples. From the results obtained, only samples I, and L were devoid of microorganisms and had acceptable ionic contents, but with unsatisfactory taste, odour and pH which rendered them unfit for drinking without intervention to improve the water quality. This should be of interest to regulatory agencies and public health officials in designing programmes to reduce water-borne diseases.