PREVALENCE PROFILE OF BACTERIA FOUND IN WATER STORAGE TANKS AT NNEWI NORTH, ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA

Rita Ngozi Otuadinma, Chinyelu Nkiruka Umeaku, Izunna Somadina Okwelogu and
Emmanuel Ifeanyi Obeagu*

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the bacteriological quality of water stored in tanks across Nnewi North, Anambra State, Nigeria, with the aim of assessing potential health risks associated with microbial contamination. Water samples were collected from various household and commercial storage tanks and analyzed for the presence of key bacterial indicators. A total of 150 water samples were analysed using bacteriological analytical methods membrane filtration method was also used. The results revealed a total of 827 bacterial colonies, comprising Escherichia coli (31.4%), other coliforms (48.7%), Clostridium perfringens (12.7%), and Streptococcus faecalis (7.3%). The predominance of coliforms and fecal indicator organisms underscores significant contamination likely due to poor sanitation and inadequate water handling practices. These findings highlight a major public health concern, calling for urgent interventions including routine water quality surveillance, improved sanitation, and public education on safe water storage practices to prevent waterborne disease outbreaks in the area.

Keywords: Water quality, Bacterial contamination, Storage tanks, Fecal indicators, Public health.