ABSTRACT
Sullage is wastewater usually generated from the kitchen sink, shower, laundry or washing machine, and air conditioning (AC) outlet. The study was aimed at assessing the microbiological and physicochemical properties of sullage in Ethiope East Local Government Area, Delta state, Nigeria. A total of 100 sullage samples, 20 each from laundry, dishwashing, mopping, sink and air conditioning (A.C) outlets were collected from educated and uneducated homes and restaurants within Abraka and Eku environs between August 2021 and May 2022. Standard microbiological and biochemical techniques were used to isolate, characterize and identify the bacterial isolates. Membrane filtration test was carried out for isolation of coliforms while fungal isolations were performed by microscopic and macroscopic examination. Physicochemical parameters were also evaluated using standard analytical techniques. Analysis of antibiotic susceptibility test was carried out by Kirby-Baur disc diffusion method. Results of total bacterial counts for samples obtained from Abraka environs ranged from 1.0 ± 0.10 - 90 ± 0.22 ×102 cfu/ml for A.C Outlet and Mopping respectively whereas samples obtained from Eku region ranged from 1.0 ± 0.33 - 19 ± 0.33× 102 cfu/ml for A.C Outlet and Mopping respectively. The total coliform counts for samples obtained from Abraka community ranged from 7.0 ± 0.44 - 52 ± 0.27× 102 cfu/ml for A.C Outlet and Sink respectively; counts from Eku community ranged from 1.0 ± 0.11 - 28 ± 0.15 × 102 cfu/ml for A.C Outlet and Mopping respectively.The total fungal counts ranged from 1.0 ± 0.23 - 42 ± 0.32× 102 cfu/ml for samples obtained from Abraka while in Eku, it ranged from 8.0 ± 0.25 - 31 ± 0.42× 102 cfu/ml. Eight (8) bacterial species were isolated from the study which includes: Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella sp., Shigella sp., Bacillus sp., Enterobacter sp., Pseudomonas sp., Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella sp. Escherichia coli (22.0%) was the most prevalent bacterium isolated from mopping while the least dominant bacterium was Bacillus sp. (5.0%). The fungal isolates from the study included: Aspergillus sp., Fusarium sp., Cladosporium sp., Mucor sp.andRhizopus sp. The study recorded that Aspergillus niger(32.0%) was the most dominant fungus from dishwashing while Fusarium sp. (10%) appeared to be the least dominant fungus. Most bacterial isolates were susceptible to the tested antibiotics. pefloxacin (83%), tarinid (83%), gentamycin (83%), augmentin (83%), ciprofloxacin (83%) and septrin (83%) were the most susceptible antibiotics. No multi drug resistance was observed. Percentage antibiotic susceptibility profile xvii for Gram positive bacterial isolates revealed that all tested Gram-positive drugs were susceptible to the isolates. The findings of the physicochemical and heavy metal contents were within the permissible limit set by the World Health Organization except copper (Cu), iron (Fe) and cadmium (CD). Although, the high microbial load observed in the study is an indication of serious contamination of the sullage. It is therefore, recommended that adequate treatment be introduced with a view of ensuring completely clean and potable sullage before re-use to minimize the risk of contracting infections and other health related issues. Also, rather than wastage, individuals and concerned authorities should harness the potential benefits of sullage recycling as a way of living to save cost and reservation in the time of drought.
