ABSTRACT
The aim of this project is to determine the physical, chemical and microbial characteristics of a fresh water habitat (pond) in Oghara Delta State. Surface water samples were collected at a frequency of once monthly for a period of three months from January – March 2021, from three stations in Oghara, Delta State. The Physico-chemical parameters studied includes; Water temperature (27.5-30oC), Air temperature (26-29 oC), Depth (2.7-3.8m), pH (5.6-6.32), Conductivity (15-40 Mg/L), Turbidity (8.6-20.4 Mg/L), Suspended solid (6-16 Mg/L), Dissolved oxygen (2.2-4.6 Mg/L) BOD (3-7.2 Mg/L), Potassium (0.69-0.90 Mg/L), Sodium (0.73-2.27 Mg/L), Calcium (0.64-1.28), Magnesium (0.39-1.56), Total Hardness (4.8-8.01), Alkalinity (3.05- 9.15), Chloride (4.5-12 Mg/L), COD (8-12 Mg/L), Sulphate (1.84-4.12 Mg/L), Phosphate (0.03- 0.1 Mg/L) and Nitrate (0.51-5.27 Mg/L). Heavy metals parameters were within the allowable limits of USEPA for fresh water bodies. In the microbial analysis shown in table 2, the total coliform values ranged from (11-52) Cfu/100ml in station 1, (32-42) Cfu/100ml in station 2 and (22-35) Cfu/100ml in station 3. The highest and lowest mean value were recorded in station one (32.25) Cfu/100ml and station three (27.25) Cfu/100ml respectively. The total bacteria count values ranged from (1.3-9.1) x 104Cfu/ml in station 1, (3.8-8.6) x 10 4Cfu/ml in station 2 and (3.1- 5.2) x 10 4Cfu/ml in station 3. The highest and lowest mean value were recorded in station two (6.23) x 10 4Cfu/ml and station one (4.35) x 10 4Cfu/ml respectively. The abstracted samples were subjected to several physical and chemical analyses and microbial analysis which were conducted in accordance with referenced procedures. It is recommended that the water from the selected area be at least treated by boiling before drinking.
