Phenotypic Characterization of Bacteria Isolated from the Recreational Sites of Two Rivers in Orashi Region, Rivers State, Nigeria

Recreational water bodies are water bodies used for recreational activities such as swimming, surfing, water skiing, water diving and sailing. They include rivers, lakes, beaches, spas and swimming pools. This work was therefore aimed at determining the bacteriological profile of recreational water bodies in Orashi region of Rivers State, Nigeria. Surface water samples were collected from two different sites (Orashi River, Mbiama and Sombreiro River, Ahoada) using standard microbiological methods. Upstream, midstream and downstream samples were collected for a period of three months at monthly interval. Standard plate counts were used for total heterotrophic and coliform bacterial counts using standard microbiological media. The total heterotrophic bacterial count ranged from 4.1X104 to 9.5X104 for Orashi River and 3.0X103 to 4.0X103 for Sombreiro River. A significant statistical difference (p < 0.05) however, existed between total heterotrophic bacterial counts of the samples collected from Orashi River, while no statistical difference (p > 0.05) was observed in the total heterotrophic bacterial counts of samples from Sombreiro River. In the comparative analysis of the samples from the two water bodies, no statistical difference (p > 0.05) was recorded in the total coliform count in Orashi and Sombreiro Rivers. The phenotypic characterization identified the isolates to include Staphylococcus spp., Klebsiella spp., Pseudomonas spp., Bacillus spp., Enterococcus spp. and Micrococcus spp., with Klebsiella pneumoniae as the most occurring (26.1%). Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus are known for their pathogenic potentials, hence their presence in these recreational sites are of public health importance. Provision of standard recreational facilities in localities will however reduce the dependency on river sites for recreational activities, and as well prevent recreational associated illnesses.