INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Natural water
whether surface ground water, river, ocean or lakes contains variety of
micro-organisms. The sanitary quality of drinking water is affected by
both variety and number of micro-organisms. The sanitary quality of
drinking water is affected by both Variety and number of micro-organisms
available.
River is fit for drinking if its does not contain any
micro-organism that are pathogenic to man. The WHO (1958) published the
international standard for drinking water, in it water for consumption
should be free from pathogenic organisms.
According to Howel (1994).
He defined bacterial gience examination of river as the process of
identification of bacteria organisms in the river. The bacteria
organisms are pathogenic to man when they drink it. Some of the
causative agents are singella dysenterae, vibro cholera, Salmonella
Typhi, , Salmonella Paratyphi. Etc.
1.2 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The aim of the study is to examine the micro-organisms in Idodo river. The specific objectives of the study are:
1. To identify the micro-organisms in the river.
2. To isolate the pathogenic organisms in the river.
1.3 STATEMENT OF PROBLEMS
The people that are
using contaminated water are prone to different kinds of diseases. The
diseases they suffered most are: dysentery, cholera, typhoid and
paratyphoid. Etc. idodo river is likely to be contaminated at one time
or the other due to human activities like washing, stooling, swimming
etc. These activities are possible sources of pathogenic organisms when
water or river is polluted it is no longer useful for human consumption
and other domestic uses. Polluted river therefore is source of various
kinds of health hazard.
1.4 HYPOTHESIS
H.O The river contains pathogenic micro-organisms.
H.I The river do not contain pathogenic micro-organisms
5.1 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
Evaluation of
micro-organisms from river sensitizing people on the beset way to
dispose wastes so as to avoid communicable diseases that are caused by
pathogenic organisms.
To make sure that, the river is suitable for whatever it is selected for, like domestic use, cooking and washing.
1.6 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
Only Idodo river in Enugu metropolism is chosen for this work due to time constraint and financial setback.