Quality of Drinking Water and Microbial Load of the Interior Components of Dispensing Machines at a Federal Training Centre, in Ibadan, Nigeria

This study assessed the quality of drinking water dispensed and microbial load of the interior components of 14 dispenser machines in a federal training centre in Nigeria. Water samples from dispensers were analysed for physico-chemical and bacteriological parameters before and after cleaning. Swab samples from the inner components of the dispensers were assessed for Total viable bacteria (TVB) and Total coliforms (TC) using standard methods. Information on perception and practices of users was obtained from key informants. The results were compared with WHO guidelines for drinking water quality. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and t-test at 5% level of significance. The physico-chemical parameters of water from dispensers were all within permissible limits. Before cleaning, four (28.6%) and 9(64.3 %) of the water samples from dispensers had TVB and TC counts higher than permissible limits while all were free of TVB and TC after cleaning. Internal components of 12 machines had TVB 2 count of 2.6 ± 1.2 x 10 cfu/mL before cleaning while there was no TVB immediately after cleaning. Participants believed that no microorganism could grow inside the dispensers because water flows in it regularly, hence did not require regular cleaning. However, Staphylococcus aureus and Psuedomonas auruginosa were isolated from the internal components of the dispensers before cleaning. This could have implication for health. The study recommends regular cleaning of the machines and adoption of appropriate routine monitoring system to protect the health of users