Comparative Analysis of Public and Private Borehole Water Supply Sources in Uruan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State
Ukpong, E. C; B. B. Okon

Abstract
Comparative analysis of public and private borehole water supply sources in Uruan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, was conducted in order to examine their qualities. A total of 13 water samples collected from 10 randomly chosen private and 3 functional public boreholes in the area were analysed using standard analytical techniques and instruments. Most of the physicochemical parameters of samples from the two sources were within the acceptable limits of the World Health Organisation (WHO) for drinking water. Eight different bacteria species were isolated and identified. They include Escherichia coli (18.75%), Bacillus subtilis (15.625%), Streptococcus faecalis (15.625%), Proteus vulgaris (12.50%), Klebsiella aerogenes (12.50%), Micrococcus varians (9.375%), Clostridium perfringens (9.37%) and Staphylococcus aureus (6.25%). Total viable count on private borehole water samples ranged from 1.6x103 to 5.5x103cfu/ml while that of the public was 9x101cfu/ml. In the private source, E.coi ranged from 1x100 to 4x100cfu/100ml, whereas 4x100 to 3.4x101cfu/100ml was recorded for the coliforms. Streptococcus faecalis and Clostridium perfringens ranged from 1x100 to 3x100cfu/100ml and 1x100 to 2x100cfu/100ml respectively, and did not meet the approved drinking water standard. There was no growth of indicator organism in samples from the public boreholes. Analysis of variance result shows no difference in the physicochemical variables of the 13 samples except in bacteriological quality where significant differences where observed. The t-test result reveals significant difference between the quality of the public and private borehole water supply sources in the study area. From the findings, it is recommended that private borehole water supply in the area be properly treated before human consumption and other domestic purposes.

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