Potability of Drinking Water in an Oil Impacted Community in Southern Nigeria

Microbiological and physicochemical analyses of borehole water samples from Eastern Obolo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State were conducted to ascertain their potability. Seven bacterial species were isolated and identified. These included Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium perfringens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Micrococcus varians and Escherichia coli. The viable bacterial count ranged from 5.2x10⁴cfu/ml to 15x10⁴cfu/ml while the total coliform count of the water samples ranged from 2 cfu/100ml to 51 cfu/100ml. The most frequently occurring bacterium was Enterococcus faecalis (22%) while Escherichia coli was the least (7%). Some physicochemical parameters like iron and mercury in some boreholes did not meet World Health Organization (WHO) standard for potable water. High counts of indicator bacteria also constitute a threat to public health.