ABSTRACT
Surface waters, comprising flowing rivers, freshwater lakes, and hand-dug wells, serve as the predominant water sources for the rural populace in Nigeria, often accessed without undergoing thorough assessments of safety and quality. This research endeavor sought to meticulously evaluate the bacteriological composition of surface water samples obtained from diverse sampling locations, including the Ikpoba Hill river in Ikpoba Ohka town and Ekosodin, located within the Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State. Over the course of February 2024, water samples were systematically collected in duplicate from these designated sites. Employing a combination of the membrane filtration technique and standard cultural and genomic methodologies, the collected water samples underwent comprehensive bacteriological analysis. The findings revealed a heterogeneous distribution of bacterial counts, with the heterotrophic bacterial count ranging from 0.90±2.60 CFU/100ml to 1.10±2.40 CFU/100ml, while the total coliform count exhibited variability, ranging from 2.25±1.00 CFU/100ml to 2.35±1.15 CFU/100ml, thereby aligning with the prescribed values for potable water as stipulated by the World Health Organization. Identified bacterial isolates included Enterobacter aerogenes, Klebsiella oxytoca, Escherichia coli, and Serratia marcescens. Furthermore, the antibacterial sensitivity profiles elucidated susceptibility to Amikacin and Chloramphenicol, albeit demonstrating resistance to several other antibiotics, including Ceftriaxone, Gentamycin, Tetracycline, Ciprofloxacin, Vancomycin, Co-Trimoxazole, Cefuroxime, and Meropenem. It is imperative to underscore the urgent need for advocacy programs spearheaded by relevant governmental and non-governmental organizations to emphasize the critical importance of water treatment and disinfection within these communities, thereby safeguarding public health and wellbeing.
