Umudike Journal of Engineering and Technology

Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike


ASSESSMENT OF WATER QUALITY OF THE SELECTED RECREATIONAL SWIMMING POOLS IN UMUAHIA METROPOLIS, SOUTHEASTERN NIGERIA

Ubuoh, E. A.
Department of Environmental Management and Toxicology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, P.M.B.7267, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.

Onyeizu, U. R.
Department of Environmental Management and Toxicology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, P.M.B.7267, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.

Uzonu, U. I.
Department of Environmental Management and Toxicology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, P.M.B.7267, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.

Okechukwu, I. R.
Department of Environmental Management and Toxicology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, P.M.B.7267, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.



ABSTRACT

This Study was conducted on the selected public swimming pools in Umuahia for water quality assurance for recreation. Water samples were randomly taken from five swimming pools during October – December, 2020, from five hotels: Damgrete (SWP1), Confidence (SWP2), Villa Roy (SWP3), Wiss Castle (SWP4), and Benac Hotels (SWP5), respectively. The study evaluated the physicochemical and microbial properties of the swimming pools. The media applied for the study were MacConkey agar, nutrient agar, Salmonella-Shigella agar, eosin methylene blue agar, Sabouraud dextrose agar, thiosulphate citrate bile salt sucrose agar for total aerobic plate count; coli form count, Escherichia coli count, Salmonella-Shigella count, Vibrio cholerae count and fungal count respectively. Bacterial isolates identified by   using standard microbiological techniques to include Gram staining and biochemical tests. The fungal isolates identified using the needle mount technique.  Data were analyzed using variance and mean separation by Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at P0C. The average turbidity of the swimming pools was 3.0±0.08 turbidity >the 0.5–1.0 NTU world health (WHO) permissible limit. The mean pH of the swimming pools recorded 6.82±0.06-indicating moderate acidic against the pH 7.2-7.8 WHO limit for swimming pool. Total chlorine in some selected pools ranged between 3.15 ±0.21-3.25 ±0.07 mg/l above the The percentage of bacteria prevalence in the selected swimming pools indicated 14% for P.aeruginosa, Bacillus sp, Citrobacter sp, Enterobacter sp  each, 19% S.aureus, and 24% Klebsiella sp. Pseudomonas aeruginosa  was  dominant in the swimming pools followed by Total faecal coli form, total aerobic plate count and Escherichia coli being the least and were  below the WHO  limits respectively.  Regular monitoring and testing of the pool water chemistry will ensure a low-cost maintenance sparkling and clean swimming pool all the year round.


Keywords: Swimming Pools, Microbiology, Physicochemical characteristics, Health risk assessment


https://doi.org/10.33922/j.ujet_v8i1_7
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Published
Wednesday, June 08, 2022

Issue
Vol. 8 No. 1, June 2022

Article Section
GENERAL

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