Physico-chemical and microbiological evaluation of surface water in the Vaiusu Bay

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the present levels of physico-chemical and microbiological parameters of the receiving environment at Vaiusu bay. Water samples from selected locations were collected and analyzed for total coliforms bacteria and faecal coliform bacteria, and dissolved oxygen (DO) and ammonia. Counts of total coliform and fecal coliform bacteria across all sites were higher compared to the maximum microbial contaminant level established by SPREP and WHO. There was no significant difference in the microbial counts between sites by comparison, which suggest that the level of contamination is similar across the sites. Preliminary chemical analyses show DO and Ammonia levels were within permissible maximum concentration of environment quality standard WHO.