Introduction: Access to safe drinking water is essential for human health, yet water quality remains a major public health concern, particularly in developing countries experiencing rapid urbanisation and environmental stress. In healthcare settings, contaminated water poses an even greater risk due to the vulnerability of patients to waterborne infections. However, there is limited information on the quality of hospital drinking water in Lagos State, Nigeria. This study therefore assessed the physicochemical and bacteriological quality of drinking water in selected hospitals in Lagos State.
Aims: To determine the physicochemical properties, total plate count, coliform count, and identify isolated coliform bacteria from water samples in hospitals in Lagos State.
Materials and Methods: Water samples were collected from 20 hospitals in Lagos State using sterile and labelled bottles and transported under cold conditions (4°C) prior to analysis. Physicochemical parameters including Temperature, Visual inspection, Colour, Taste, Odour, pH, Conductivity, Turbidity, Total dissolved solids, Residual chlorine, Iron, Total acidity, Total hardness, Calcium hardness, Magnesium hardness, Chloride, Nitrite, Nitrate, Organic matter, and Salinity were determined using standard laboratory methods. Bacteriological analysis was carried out using the pour plate technique for total plate count and the most probable number (MPN) method for coliform count. Isolates were further identified based on morphological and biochemical characteristics.
Results: All samples had pH values ranging from 5.4 to 6.2, below recommended standards, indicating acidity. Most physicochemical parameters were within acceptable limits, except total dissolved solids, where 5 samples exceeded the standard. Microbiological analysis showed that 12 (60%) samples exceeded the WHO limit for total plate count, with 8 samples recorded as too numerous to count. Additionally, 15 samples contained coliforms above acceptable limits, including Escherichia coli, Klebsiella species, Proteus vulgaris, Enterobacter species, and Citrobacter species, indicating faecal contamination.
Conclusion: The study reveals that most hospital drinking water samples were microbiologically unsafe and acidic, posing potential health risks. Regular monitoring, improved treatment, and strict water safety practices are recommended to ensure a safe water supply in healthcare facilities.