EVALUATION OF THE MICROBIAL LOAD AND PRESENCE OF FACAL CONTAMINATION IN UGWUOMU LAKE, GODFREY OKOYE UNIVERSITY, ENUGU

METU, JEPHTHA CHIMAOBI (2025) EVALUATION OF THE MICROBIAL LOAD AND PRESENCE OF FACAL CONTAMINATION IN UGWUOMU LAKE, GODFREY OKOYE UNIVERSITY, ENUGU. Other thesis, GODFREY OKOYE UNIVERSITY, ENUGU.

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Abstract

Clean water is something every community depends on, yet in many parts of Nigeria, especially in rural or developing areas, natural water bodies like lakes are often used without any treatment. Ugwuomu Lake in Enugu State is one such water source. People in the surrounding communities rely on it for drinking, farming, fishing, and even recreation. However, over time, there have been growing concerns about its safety, especially with visible pollution and increasing cases of waterborne illnesses reported locally. This study was carried out to find out what kinds of microorganisms are present in the lake, how much of them exist, and whether the water is safe for human and environmental use. Water samples were collected from the lake and tested in the laboratory using traditional microbiological methods and modern techniques. The results revealed a level of microbial presence, with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Aeromonas hydrophila, and Vibrio cholerae being the most common. The colony counts ranged from 1.0 × 10⁰ to 3.2 × 10⁵ CFU/mL. Interestingly, no traces of E. coli or Salmonella were found, which could mean there is no direct fecal contamination. But the fact that other dangerous bacteria were found still makes the water a potential health risk. I grew up near Ugwuomu Lake and having to do this research feels like an obligation to me, not just for the academic interest but because I care about the people living in the surrounding communities and use the water for different functions. What my research shows is that lakes like Ugwuomu can pose serious dangers if not monitored regularly. It highlights the urgent need for better waste management, routine water testing, and more public health education at the community level. I hope that findings from this study can be useful to environmental health authorities and local governments in planning future water safety and treatment strategies, not just for Ugwuomu, but for similar lakes across the country.

Item Type:	Thesis (Other)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Divisions:	Faculty of Natural Sciences and Environmental Studies
Depositing User:	CHIBUEZE EZE
Date Deposited:	18 Aug 2026 14:19
Last Modified:	18 Aug 2026 14:19
URI:	http://eprints.gouni.edu.ng/id/eprint/6274

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