Impact of Biofilms on Water Distribution System of a Tertiary Institution in Northern Nigeria

The aim of this research was to determine the impact of biofilms on water distribution system of FederalUniversity Birnin Kebbi. Samples were collected from different water distribution pipelines in the University.Total heterotrophic count was carried out to determine the microbial load and Most Probable Method (MPN)was used to detect the presence of fecal coliforms in the water. Total heterotrophic bacterial count rangedbetween 1.6×103 to 3.9×103 cfu/ml. Escherichia Coli showed the highest frequency (25%) of occurrence, whilethe least frequency of occurrence (5%) was recorded for Klebsiella spp and Enterobacter spp respectively. Theisolates identified were Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella spp,Enterobacteria Spp, Salmonella Spp and Bacillus Spp. Presence of these isolates is of significant concern andmay cause some water borne diseases like diarrhea, dysentery etc. It is therefore recommended that water boardtreatment plant should use disinfectant chemicals like chlorine and perform regular proactive preventivemaintenance, microbial monitoring and infrastructure replacement and repair so as to reduce the occurrence ofbiofilms in the Water Distribution system

Assessment of Physicochemical Properties of Groundwater for Irrigation Purposes from Difa, Dadinkowa and Gwani Communitiesof Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area of Gombe State, Nigeria

The demand for quality water free of pollutants that can be maximally utilized by soil for crop production is on the societal increase. The study is aimed at examining some physico-chemical indices of groundwater for irrigation purposes from Difa, Dadinkowa and Gwani of Yamaltu-Deba Gombe State, Nigeria using standard methods. Samples collected were analysed ad data for mean concentration range presented aspH (6.00 - 6.80), temperature (23.95 - 25.78 oC), total dissolved solids (106.98 - 149.51 mg/L), total suspended solids (0.60 -1.28 mg/L), total alkalinity (17.00 - 19.25 mg/L) and dissolved oxygen (1.18 - 2.98 mg/L). The water samples recorded significant different (p<0.05) in pH values and were all below the permissible limits. However, cations and anions; NaCl, CaCO3, PO43-, CO2, NO2- and NH4- showed no significant difference p<0.05 and were below the permissible limit, except CaCO3 which exceeds the maximum permissible limits. These results suggest that the studied water samples are suitable for consumption and irrigation purposes