Microbial Estimation and Characterization of Wastewater and Sludge in Awka Metropolis, Nigeria

This study focuses on the estimation and characterization of microorganisms isolated from wastewater and sludge in Awka metropolis, Nigeria. The samples were collected randomly from four (A, B, C and D) respective areas, analyzed microbiologically by homogenizing the samples under aseptic conditions to obtain a homogenous mixture, the isolation techniques used was pour plate methods as described by Cheesbrough, (2010); Joanne et al, (2011); APHA, (1989). The samples were diluted serially, inoculated on to MacConkey agar and Sabouraud Dextrose agar media each and microorganisms were isolated; wastewater had a range from 44 to 100 colonies and total of 284 (71 ± 24.30), CFU / ml (10 -4) of 1.0 × 10 7 to 8.0 × 10 6 with total count of 19.4 (4.85 ± 2.96) × 10 6, while sludge was ranges from 60 to 120 colonies with a total of 358 (89.5 ± 29), CFU / ml (10 -4) ranged from 1.0 × 10 7 to 7.0 × 10 6 with total count of 15.2 (3.8 ± 3.1) × 10 6. The colony and the morphology of the isolates were recorded, the bacterial isolates were characterized by motility tests, Gram staining and identified by biochemical tests. The fungal isolates were microscopically examined using a wet mount procedure. From the results obtained 8 bacterial and 7 fungal isolates were identified from both the wastewater and the sludge; Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia, Micrococcus leteus, Enterococcus faecalis, Serratia mercescens and Yersinia enterocolitica. Acrophialophora fusispora, Epicoccum Purpurascens, Rhizopus microsporus, Exophiala spinifera, Cladosporium cladosporiodes, Aspergillus niger and Phaeoacremonium parasiticum. Results also showed that staphylococcus aureus have the highest percentage of occurrence in wastewater, while in sludge Micrococcus species have the highest percentage of occurrence.