QUALITY EVALUATION OF POTABLE WATER CONSUMED IN JOSEPH SARWUAN TARKA UNIVERSITY, MAKURDI (JOSTUM)
Abstract
This study evaluated the quality of potable water consumed in Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University,
Makurdi (JOSTUM). Water samples were collected from university treated water source and three
different sachet water brands commonly consumed within the campus. The collected water
samples were subjected to physicochemical and microbiological analyses using standard methods.
Physicochemical analysis revealed that total soluble solids ranged from 145.49 mg/L in sample D
to 294.95 mg/L in sample B. Chlorine content varied between 3.17 mg/L in sample A and 6.52
mg/L in sample B, while phosphate concentration showed slight variation (0.17–0.19 mg/L).
Nitrate levels ranged from 2.28 mg/L in sample D to 4.41 mg/L in sample B, and pH values varied
from 4.55 in sample A to 7.06 in sample D. Electrical conductivity ranged from 227.90 µS/cm in
sample D to 460.89 µS/cm in sample B, whereas turbidity ranged widely from 0.75 NTU in sample
C to 149.95 NTU in sample B. Sensory evaluation indicated that sample A had objectionable taste
and odour, while all sachet water samples were rated unobjectionable, suggesting superior sensory
quality among the packaged water samples. Microbiological analysis revealed total bacterial
counts ranging from 1.4 × 10² cfu/mL in sample C to 2.4 × 10² cfu/mL in sample A and sample D,
while total coliform counts ranged from 0.6 × 10¹ cfu/mL in sample C to 2.0 × 10¹ cfu/mL in
sample A. The most probable number (MPN) values ranged from 14 MPN/100 mL in sample C to
25 MPN/100 mL in sample D, indicating varying degrees of coliform contamination.
Morphological and biochemical characterization identified Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus spp.,
Klebsiella spp., and Salmonella spp. among the isolates, suggesting possible post-treatment
contamination. Generally, the results indicated that sachet water samples, particularly sample C,
exhibited better physicochemical and microbial quality compared to the sample A, although the
presence of coliforms in some samples highlighted the need for strict quality control and improved
hygiene practices during processing and storage. The findings underscore the importance of
continuous monitoring of both treated and packaged water sources to ensure compliance with
World Health Organization (WHO) standards for potable water.
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