PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PARAMETERS AND BACTERIOLOGICAL QUALITIES OF WATER SAMPLES FROM WASTE WATER TREATMENT POND, UNIVERSITY OF GONDAR, ETHIOPIA

Aim of the present study was to evaluate physico-chemical parameters and bacteriological qualities of water samples collected from waste water treatment pond of University of Gondar. The water samples were collected from five functional inlet and outlet pond following standard protocol recommended by American Public Health Association. Temperature, pH, vertical transparency and turbidity were measured at sampling site and hardness, phosphate, sulphate, nitrate, alkalinity and salinity were measured using titration method and portable photometer. Bacteriological counts were recorded from serial dilutions such as 10-3, 10-4, 10-5 and 10-6 and cultured in Macconkey media following standard microbial procedure aseptically. The mean temperature was increased in inlet pond water and the pH was increased to outlet pond water. The turbidity value was significantly decreased from inlet to outlet water pond. The electrical conductivity, transparency and euphotic zone were declined from inlet to outlet pond water. The mean value of total dissolved solids (TDS), alkalinity and salinity was declined. The mean value of hardness was significantly increased in the water of outlet pond. The amount of nitrate in the inlet and outlet pond was below the detection limits of the instrument. The amount of sulfate was reduced and phosphate was increased. Mean value of the bacteriological colony count was decreased from 10-3 to 10-6 serial dilution as well as from pond one to pond five. Even though, University of Gondar waste water treatment pond is effective, proper removal for the accumulated soil and day-to-day monitoring and proper control mechanism are needed to improve further efficiency of the waste water treatment pond.