Evaluation of Microbiological Quality of Water, Sediment and Soil Characteristics in Okrika Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria

Water is the most important resource on earth and safe drinking water is essential to sustain life. Most rural communities do not treat their water before consumption. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the microbiological quality of water, sediment and soil characteristic in Okrika LGA, Nigeria. Samples were collected using sterile bottles from boreholes, hand-dug wells, surface water, sediments and soils using standard methods and analysed accordingly. Results show that Total Heterotrophic Bacterial Count (THBC) ranged from in Kalio-Ama to at Okari-Ama. Total Fecal count (TFC) ranged from 0 to at Isaka Town. Total Coliform Count (TCC) ranged from 0 to at Ogan-Ama. Total Salmonella Shigella Count (TSSC) ranged from 0 to in Ogan-Ama. Total Vibio Count (TVC) ranged from 0 to at Kalio-Ama. The most prominent bacterial isolates from all the stations are of the genera such as Bacillus, Staphylococcus, Escherichia Coli, Micrococcus, Kiebsiella, Pseudomonas, Vibrio, Aeromonas, Serratia and Alcaligenes which were isolated across the samples with Bacillus as more frequent with 50%. In the dry season, bacterial isolates were 100% susceptible to Gentamycin and Ofloxacin and 100% resistance to Augumentin, Cefuroxime and Cefixime. In the wet season, isolates had 100% susceptibility to Ciprooflozacin and 100% resistance to Cloxacin, Augmentin and Gentamicine. The result of this study poses a public health risk to consumers who use these sources of water for domestic purposes, recreation and treatments. Diseases like typhoid, cholera, polio, skin and lung infections are eminent.