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ABSTRACT
Most rural areas in Nigeria have adopted rainwater collection from rooftops as an alternative source of water supply due to scarcity of water. This study was conducted to access the physicochemical and Microbiological quality of harvested rainwater from different storage media in Ekiadolor community, Benin City, Edo state.A total of ten samples were collected from three different storage media in order to determine the physicochemical and the microbiological parameters of harvested rainwater samples. These storage media include underground concrete reservoir, tanks and drums. Physicochemical parameters (pH, EC, TDS, salinity, temperature, nitrate and phosphate), heavy metals (chloride, iron, zinc, lead and cadmium) was evaluated using standard procedures and the microbiological evaluation was conducted using recommended cultural techniques for the enumeration of heterotrophic bacteria and Escherichia coli. Escherichia coli isolates were screened via biochemical and morphological characterization. Most of the physicochemical parameters were found to be below the limit of WHO standards. However, microbial and E. coli contamination was found in all ten samples collected. Underground concrete reservoirs had the highest microbial counts which ranged from 59 to 268. E. coli contamination was recorded highest in both drums, ranged 50- 53. The presence of E. coli indicates faecal contamination. It was also observed that the study area had low level of heavy metal contamination. E. coli presence suggests that other harmful bacteria may also be in the water, which is dangerous for the public's health. Environmental education and awareness is needed in the study area's rainwater harvesting system in order to reduce the potential health risk posed to people who depend on the source of water for potable use.
