Abstract

Coliforms especially the faecal coliforms are well established indicators of water quality and their presence in drinking water sources is indicative of the presence of water –borne pathogens. This study was conducted to evaluate the occurrence of multiple antibiotic resistant (MAR) coliform in different drinking water sources in Madorawa Community in Sokoto State. Water was aseptically sampled from public wells, borehole sources and sachet water plants of the Sokoto State University. Samples were transported immediately to the laboratory in Sokoto state university for microbiological analysis such as isolation, enumeration, and identification of isolated bacteria using standard microbiological techniques. Isolates were screened for antibiotic susceptibility and multiple antibiotic resistance using the Kurby Bauer technique. Escherichia coli and Citrobacter species were isolated from bore hole water source, while Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli from WW1, Citrobacter specie, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were also isolated from WW2. The findings suggest that the sachet-water produced in Madorawa MDSW and Sokoto state university are free of contamination and safe for consumption, however, water samples from wells and boreholes in this study showed high coliform counts which indicate high level of contamination and a potential risk of water borne illnesses Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from Well 1, showed resistance (25%) to three antibiotics with MAR index of 0.5. Four species of Citrobacter were screened and screened for MDR against six antibiotics and none of the species showed resistance to the antibiotics tested. The findings of the study showed that the quality of Sachet water in the study area was safe for consumption and in compliance with WHO recommended limits while only well water showed the presence of MDR coliform.