ASSESSMENT OF PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND MICROBIAL PARAMETERS OF WATER SUPPLY IN UNIBEN UNDERGRADUATE HOSTELS

ABSTRACTS

Assessment of water quality parameters is important to know the level of pollution in water sample being analysed and its suitability for various purposes. This study assessed the water quality of undergraduate UNIBEN hostels. A total of eight samples were taken from eight different hostels and analysed for their physicochemical and microbial parameters following thorough analytical procedures. Results obtained from the analysis showed that the physicochemical parameters of all samples were within WHO’s acceptable limits except from the pH of samples which were all acidic having a value of 5.99 as the least and 4.41 as the highest. The temperature ranged from 29.3 0 c c while the total dissolved solids ranged from 10ppm to 45ppm. Presence of salt was also not detected in any sample. Microbial analysis showed presence of coliform bacterial in all samples which included Klabsiella sp. E. coli and Bacillus subtilis. Therefore, the water was considered not suitable for drinking due to microbial contamination and acidic pH. Although, it can be used for other purposes like washing and bathing. Chlorination of water supply and neutralization of water pH value is therefore necessary to improve the quality of water supply in UNIBEN hostels.