Abstract

Ten wells were arbitrarily chosen for study in Sabo area in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. The water samples were collected to estimate the extent of faecal pollution and the probable health hazard the use of these well waters can impound on the community. Coliform count was determined using the Most Probable Number (MPN) Technique. The indicator organisms in this study were Escherichia coli and Aerobacter aerogenes. Samples of water obtained from the wells were considered unsafe for human consumption, especially when used untreated, because they contain a high density of coliforms. Various morphological, cultural characteristics and biochemical tests were also carried out on the indicator organisms. E. coli was sensitive to cotrimoxazole, streptomycin, tetracycline, colistin, gentamicine and nalidixic acid but resistant to nitrofurantoin, ampicillin, cephalocidine, sulphafurazole, carbenicillin and sulfamethazole whileAerobacter aerogenes was sensitive to colistin, gentamicine and nitrofurontoin but resistant to the remaining antibiotics of the Gram negative disc. For the U4-disc,Escherichia coli was susceptible to colistin sulphate but resistant to all the other antibiotics. Aerobacter aerogenes was resistant to all the U4 antibiotics discs. It is recommended that a major programme which will intimate rural and urban dwellers of the sources, risk and consequences of water pollution and water-borne diseases should be carried out in the near future.

Key words: Antibiotics sensitivity patterns, Escherichia coli, Aerobacter aerogenes, well water