In most rural communities in Nigeria, access to potable water is still a challenge. Water quality
monitoring was conducted on six (6) surface water catchments in Obokun rural communities in SouthWestern
Nigeria. Parameters were determined using internationally accepted procedures. Among the
examined water chemical parameters, only NO3 (50.0 – 154 mg/l) and Mg (20.0 – 110 mg/l) exceeded the
WHO and the Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ) recommended thresholds for
potable water. All the surface water samples contained total heterotrophic bacteria (THB) (1100 – 5900
cfu/ml) and total coliform (9.00 – 78.0 cfu/100 ml) above tolerant level. Total heterotrophic fungi (THF)
were found in 1.00 – 7.00 cfu/ml density range. All the samples (100%) contained thermotolerant
coliform (4.0 – 11.0 cfu/100m l), Escherichia coli (4.00 – 7.00 cfu/100 ml), faecal streptococci (1.00 – 5.00
cfu/ml) and Salmonella (1.00 – 8.00 cfu/100 ml) while 67% contained Shigella (1.00 - 6.00 cfu/100 ml).
Presence of pathogenic microorganisms in water samples is indicative of faecal contamination.
Multidrug resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Shigella flexneri, E. coli and
Corynebacterium ulcerans showed that these organisms could pose a serious health threat to the users
of the water from these rivers. The qualities of surface water samples used for this study were therefore
not suitable for human consumption without adequate treatment. However, most rural community
people still rely on surface water for drinking and other domestic use. Identification of cost-effective
local water treatment techniques and implementation of WHO Water Safety Plan (WSP) will improve
water quality and minimize risks to human health.