Bacteriological Aspects of Rainwater Harnessed for an Institutional Use – A Case Study

A high school located in Ile-Ife, Nigeria with a student population of 1,100 was used for a demonstration project of harnessing rainwater and storing it for use throughout the year. Bacteriological analyses of the underground harnessed rainwater and its piped water distribution system were carried out at bi-monthly intervals during the rainy season and three times a month during the dry season. The rainwater catchments and underground storage reservoir were constructed during 1981-1982, and the collection of bacterial parameters initiated after the first rains to establish its pollution pattern. Aerobic heterotrophic bacteria, streptococci and coliforms were enumerated. Data collected during the study period indicate few coliforms. There were no faecal coliforms isolated. Rainwater harnessing should be practised for domestic use particularly in the tropical rain forest areas like the southern parts of Nigeria to alleviate shortage of water supply.