MICROBIAL BURDEN OF DOMESTIC WASTEWATER ON SOIL IN UNIVERSITY OF BENINHOSTELS AND SOME OFF CAMPUS HOSTELS

ABSTRACT

Wastewater refers to water that has been used in various human activities and contains a mixture of contaminants, pollutants, and organic matter and may contain pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites, which can pose public health risks. The aim of this research was to evaluate the microbial burden of domestic wastewater on soil in University of Benin hostels and off campus. Twenty (20) samples were obtained from school hostels and off campus using sterile sample containers. The microbiological assessment was carried out using cultural techniques, biochemical methods while antimicrobial sensitivity was carried out using disk diffusion method. The result shows that a wide range of microorganisms were associated with the different samples obtained from school hostels and off campus. The mean heterotrophic bacterial count ranged from 19.85 ± 1.00 x 107 (cfu/g) to 10.22 ±0.50 x 107 cfu/g) and the mean fungal count ranged from 22.50 ±2.50 x 107 (cfu/g) to 2.00 ±1.00 x107 (cfu/g) (for polluted wastewater soil), the bacterial count ranged from 9.10 ±1.00 x 107 (cfu/g) to 5.65 ± 0.50 x 107 (cfu/g) and the mean fungal count ranged from10.50 ±0.50 x 107 (cfu/g) to 2.00 ± 0.00 x 107 (cfu/g) (for non-wastewater polluted soil) in school hostels. The mean heterotrophic bacteria count for off campus ranged from 17.45 ± 2.50 x 107 (cfu/g) to 7.35 ±1.50 x107 (cfu/g) and the mean fungal count ranged from 6.00 ±2.00 x 107 (cfu/g) to 1.50 ±0.50 x107 (cfu/g) (for wastewater polluted soil) while the mean bacterial count for the ranged from 6.95 ±0.50 x 107 (cfu/g) to 3.35 ± 3.50 x 107 (cfu/g) and the mean fungal count ranged from 5.00 ±2.00 x 107 (cfu/g) to 1.00 ± 0.00 x 107 (cfu/g) (for non-wastewater polluted soil) in off campus. The bacteria isolated were Proteus sp., Bacillus sp., Klebsiella sp. and Escherichia coli. The fungal isolated were Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Penicillum sp. and Mucor sp. Escherichia coli and Aspergillus fumigatus had the highest frequency of occurrence while Proteus mirabilis and Mucor sp. Had the lowest frequency of occurrence. The antimicrobial susceptibility testing showed that all isolates were susceptible to Imipenem and Levofloxacin and were resistant to Cefotaxime, Amoxicilin, and others. Effective management strategies, such as wastewater treatment and soil remediation measures, are crucial for mitigating the risks associated with microbial contamination in waste water-polluted soil.