African Journal of
Microbiology Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Microbiol. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0808
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJMR
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 5238

Full Length Research Paper

Studies on the physicochemical and bacteriological properties of some semi-public Swimming pools in Makurdi, Nigeria

Victor Taghoghor Omoni
  • Victor Taghoghor Omoni
  • Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, University of Agriculture, P. M. B. 2373, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.
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Doosuur Naomi Torjir
  • Doosuur Naomi Torjir
  • Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, University of Agriculture, P. M. B. 2373, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.
  • Google Scholar
Stephen Efe Okekporo
  • Stephen Efe Okekporo
  • Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, University of Agriculture, P. M. B. 2373, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.
  • Google Scholar


  •  Received: 10 January 2019
  •  Accepted: 06 March 2019
  •  Published: 14 April 2019

Abstract

Recreational waters are routes of transmission for most water-related illnesses. In this study, the water quality of five selected swimming pools (SP) was examined after disinfection prior to bathing and after bathing by swimmers. SP sampling was carried out weekly for 4 weeks between August and September in Makurdi, Nigeria. Bacterial loads and physicochemical parameters were determined using standard and standard analytical methods, respectively. Most of the physicochemical parameters analyzed were within recommended limit except for residual chlorine, turbidity, dissolved oxygen and total dissolved solids exceeding the permissible limit in some SPs before and after bath. Total heterotrophic count before bath ranged from 2.1 × 107 to 10.9 × 107 cfu/ml and 4.2 × 107 to 17.6 × 107 cfu/ml after bath. Some SPs revealed Salmonella-Shigella spp. contamination before and after bath. Total coliforms (TC) ranged from 0-27 MPN/100 ml and 0-43 MPN/100 ml before and after bath respectively, while faecal coliforms (FC) ranged from 0-9 MPN/100 ml before bath and 0-21 MPN/100 ml after bath. Two of the studied SPs significantly increase in TC (150 and 86%) and FC (105 and 22%) after bath. The results suggest that the possible routes for pools contamination include source of water, inadequate disinfection process, faecal discharge and bather density.

 

Key words: Swimming pool, bacterial count, bath; physicochemical, standards, Makurdi, coliforms.