A COMPREHENSIVE BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION CONDUCTED ON THE WATER SUPPLY WITHIN THE CONFINES OF THE FEMALE HOSTEL AT THE ESTEEMED UNIVERSITY OF UYO

Background Of The Study: Water is an essential and intricately interrelated element that is fundamental to the existence of life, as life cannot be sustained without it. Water must be consistently prioritised due to its critical importance. Access to clean and safe drinking water is not merely a privilege, but rather a fundamental necessity that is necessary for sustaining human life. The provision of clean drinking water to everybody has so garnered the interest of several individuals, groups, governmental entities, and corporate organisations. According to the study conducted by Adetunde et al. in 2010. Ensuring the use of pathogen-free drinking water is crucial in disrupting a primary pathway for the spread of infectious diseases. The aforementioned reality has spurred global investment in the development of water systems that are specifically engineered to adhere to rigorous water quality regulations. According to Trevett (2004),Waterborne pathogens, encompassing a diverse range of viral, bacterial, algal, and protozoan agents, are responsible for a significant portion of the approximately 4 billion cases and 2.5 million fatalities attributed to endemic diarrheal diseases annually. According to Kosek et al. (2003),The growth of the human population has resulted in a significant strain on the availability of clean drinking water, particularly in developing nations (Umeh et al., 2005). The presence of unsafe water poses a significant public health concern on a global scale, exposing individuals to various diseases such as diarrheal illnesses and chemical intoxication (Hughes et al., 2005). The impact of unsanitary water on young children in the underdeveloped nations is particularly severe. Annually, a significant number of individuals, primarily children under the age of 5, succumb to diarrheal sickness, resulting in a mortality rate above 2 million (Kosek et al., 2003; Parashar et al., 2003).The majority of deaths caused by diarrheal diseases, around 90%, have been linked to the lack of safe and sufficient water supplies, as well as insufficient sanitation conditions. This issue affects a significant portion of the global population (Hughes et al., 2005; World Health Organisation, 2004). According to Okonko et al. (2008), around 2.6 billion individuals do not have sufficient access to sanitation facilities.

The University of Uyo, located in the city of Uyo, is equipped with five primary female hostel facilities, namely halls 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. The school also provides a range of staff accommodations. The water supply for these halls relies on borehole water that is kept in above tanks. The issue of environmental contamination resulting from the presence of hazardous metals has become a matter of increasing concern in numerous large urban areas. The introduction of harmful heavy metals into the ecosystem has the potential to result in geo-accumulation, bioaccumulation, and bio-magnification. The presence of heavy metals such as iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), and other trace elements is crucial for the optimal operation of biological systems. Insufficient or excessive levels of these elements can result in various illnesses (Ward, 1995). The issue of heavy metal pollution in food chains has emerged as a significant concern in recent years due to the propensity for these metals to accumulate inside biological systems via contaminated water, soil, and air. Hence, it is imperative to prioritise the comprehensive investigation of heavy metal origins, their deposition in soil, and the impact of their presence in water and soil on plant systems. These areas of study have emerged as crucial subjects in contemporary research on risk assessments (Rajesh et al., 2004). According to Ward (1995), the primary contributors of heavy metals to vegetable crops are the growth media, including soil, air, and nutrient solutions, from which these metals are absorbed by the roots or foliage. The contamination of our water resources is steadily increasing as a result of the introduction of extraneous substances from the surrounding environment. The sources of pollution encompass several components such as organic debris derived from plants and animals, runoff from the Earth's surface, as well as industrial and sewage discharges (Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, 2002). The phenomenon of rapid urbanisation and industry, coupled with inadequate environmental planning, frequently results in the release of industrial and sewage effluents into lakes. The lakes possess an intricate and delicate environment due to their lack of inherent self-cleaning capacity, resulting in the rapid accumulation of contaminants. The production of froth in Bellandur Lake, which is the largest lake in the urban region of Bangalore, has garnered significant public interest in recent times. This phenomenon occurs primarily during the rainy season and is attributed to the presence of chemicals such as soaps, detergents, and biosurfactants. Over the past few decades, it has been observed that the lake has been receiving discharged wastewater, which includes both treated, partially treated, and untreated forms. Consequently, the water from the lake has been utilised for agricultural activities (Pruss et al., 2002). In rural areas, the responsibility of ensuring the provision and safeguarding of water sources typically falls with individual householders. When considering the safety of various sources, it is imperative to avoid any shortcuts. Ensuring the preservation of the quality of particular water supplies entails a dual approach, involving the regulation of land utilisation in the vicinity of these supplies and the implementation of appropriate water treatment methodologies, if deemed required. It is incumbent upon rural householders to undertake the responsibility of safeguarding their families against the potential hazards associated with tainted drinking water. Support in this matter might be acquired from many organisations (Ward, 1995). Inquiries pertaining to relevant local rules, the health risks associated with contaminated water, and recommended protocols for the collection and analysis of drinking water samples for contaminants can be addressed by local health authorities. In certain instances, local health authorities may conduct an analysis of people' water samples to detect prevalent pollutants, either free of charge or for a little fee. The burden for conducting a comprehensive examination of well water is with the homeowner and is not provided at no cost. State regulatory organisations responsible for water resource management possess the capacity to address inquiries pertaining to water utilisation. In addition, these reports typically provide data pertaining to the accessibility and appropriateness of water resources throughout the State. In addition to their primary functions, these bodies typically oversee the enforcement of safety laws pertaining to dams (Ward, 1995).