BACTERIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF WATER USED TO HYDRATE DATE, TIGER NUTS AND COCONUTS BY HAWKERS/ SELLERS IN DADIN KOWA JOS SOUTH L.G.A OF PLATEAU STATE.

ABSTRACT This study investigated the bacteriological quality of water used to hydrate date fruits, tiger nuts, and coconuts sold by street hawkers in Dadin Kowa, Jos South L.G.A of Plateau State. A total of 20 samples were collected over four weeks, five samples weekly, and analyzed using standard microbiological procedures including Total Viable Count (TVC), Gram staining, and biochemical tests. The bacterial load ranged from 0.30 × 10⁴ to 0.45 × 10⁴ CFU/mL, indicating microbial contamination in all samples. Across all the samples, the most frequently isolated bacteria were Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella typhi . Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus mirabilis were detected in 80% and 70% of weekly samples respectively, while Staphylococcus species appeared in 65% of samples and Salmonella typhi in 40%. The presence of these organisms, including enteric pathogens and hygiene-associated contaminants, suggests fecal contamination, poor handling practices, and inadequate hygiene among vendors.The high microbial count and diversity of pathogenic bacteria indicate that the water used by hawkers poses significant public health risks, including potential transmission of typhoid fever, gastroenteritis, dysentery, and other foodborne infections. These findings highlight the need for routine monitoring of street-vending water, improved hygiene practices, public health education, and provision of potable water sources by relevant authorities. The study concludes that water used to hydrate fruits by hawkers in Dadin Kowa is unsafe for consumption without treatment. It is recommended that vendors adopt proper sanitation measures, frequent water replacement, and use of treated water, while consumers should wash snacks thoroughly before consumption.