COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF GRAM NEGATIVE BACTERIA IN POTABLE WATER SOURCES OF OKUNMO COMMUNITY IN OKITIPUPA LGA

This project focus on the microbial quality of water from five ground water (boreholes) and five surface water (river) sources found within Okunmo community of Okitipupa LGA, Ondo State, Nigeria. Five samples of surface water were collected at different point marked with different activities such as fishing, washing, drinking and pupuru processing. Five samples were also collected from different boreholes. Physico-chemical parameters of the water samples revealed temperature ranging from 250C to 280C, pH from 5.49 to 7.19 while color and odour varies across the water sources. Standard serial dilutions were carried out on samples taken and plated on nutrient agar while bacterial identification was microscopically and biochemically determined. Four gram negative bacteria species were identified namely, Salmonella typhi, Campylobacter jejuni, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Escherichia coli. Salmonella typhi and Campylobacter jejuni are highly pathogenic while Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas fluorescens may be opportunistic. These isolates may therefore pose serious threats on human health. It is recommended that effective sanitation, hygiene measures, public education and community involvement is crucial regulatory strategies for preventing the spread of pathogenic microbes in borehole and river water.