Aliyu, AbdulmalikIbrahim, Yakubu K.EOyi, Ruqqaya A2021-05-062021-05-062016Aliyu et al., 20162579-0455https://uilspace.unilorin.edu.ng/handle/20.500.12484/4977The bacteriological quality of water from River Lavun (lower part of River Kaduna), used by the populace of Bida and environ for domestic activities, irrigation and source of aquatic food was investigated. Water samples were collected from three different points along the river for six months. Using standard methods, heterotrophic plate count (HPC), faecal coliform count (FCC) and faecal streptococci counts (FSC) were determined while identification of specific contaminant were done using rapid test kits. Heterotrophic counts ranged from 1.7 ×104 to 8.9 ×104 (cfu/ml). Faecal coliform counts ranged from 2.4 ×102 to 6.8 ×103 (cfu/ml) with relatively lower faecal streptococci counts (8.6 ×10 to 3.4 ×102 cfu/ml). These counts varied depending on the period, with highest values at the peak of rainy season (September). Forty seven (47) isolates belonging to fifteen bacterial species were identified in the water. Members of the Enterobacteriaceae (91.5%) constituted major contaminants population with Klebsiella spp. (46.5%), Enterobacter spp (18.6%), E. coli (11.6%), Citrobacter spp. (9.3%), Salmonella spp., Serratia spp. (4.7% each), Shigella spp. (2.3%), and Yersinia spp. (2.3%). Staphylococci species constituted (8.5%) only. Antibiogram carried out using disc diffusion technique showed multiple antibiotic resistances among the Enterobacteriaceae of bacterial contaminants but were however susceptible to ciprofloxacin, nitrofurantoin and gentamicin. Staphylococci spp. were generally susceptible to virtually all the antibiotics tested.Bacterial ResistanceRiver WaterRiver LavunAntibiogramArticle