Ebisomu C. Agedah - Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa state, Nigeria Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission, Abuja Nigeria
Ebinyo Rebecca Ineyougha - Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa state, Nigeria
Sylvester Chibueze Izah - Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa state, Nigeria
Langley Ayibawanaimi Orutugu - Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Health Sciences, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa state, Nigeria

Surface water is a source of drinking water in most rural communities in Nigeria. This study evaluated the total heterotrophic bacteria (THB) counts and some physico-chemical characteristics of Rivers surrounding Wilberforce Island, Nigeria.Samples were collected in July 2007 and analyzed using standard procedures. The result of the THB ranged from 6.389 – 6.434Log cfu/ml. The physico-chemical parameters results ranged from 6.525 – 7.105 (pH), 56.075 – 64.950μS/cm (Conductivity), 0.010 – 0.050‰ (Salinity), 103.752 – 117.252 NTU (Turbidity), 27.250 – 27.325 ºC (Temperature), 10.200 – 14.225 mg/l (Dissolved oxygen), 28.180 – 32.550 mg/l (Total dissolved solid), 0.330 – 0.813 mg/l (Nitrate), 0.378 – 0.530 mg/l (Ammonium). Analysis of variance showed that there were significant variation (P<0.05) in the physicochemical properties except for Salinity and temperature between the two rivers. Also no significant different (P>0.05) exist in the THB density of both rivers; upstream (Agudama-Ekpetiama) and downstream (Akaibiri) of River Nun with regard to ammonium and nitrate. Significant positive correlation (P<0.01) exist between dissolved oxygen with ammonium, Conductivity with salinity and total dissolved solid, salinity with total dissolved solid, turbidity with nitrate, and pH with nitrate. The positive correlation (P<0.05) also exist between pH with turbidity. High turbidity and bacteria density in the water samples is an indication of pollution and contamination respectively. Hence, the consumption of these surface water without treatment could cause health related effects.

Drinking water sources, microorganisms, physico-chemistry, surface water, Wilberforce Island