Microbial Safety and Physicochemical Integrity of Houseboat Water in a Petroleum-Impacted Creek System of the Niger Delta

Abstract

Potable water is a deceptively fragile part of public health, especially around aquatic environments that have been contaminated but remain clear hiding chemical and microbial dangers. This study evaluated the physicochemical integrity and microbiological safety of potable water stored aboard houseboats operating within the Jones Creek petroleum corridor of the Niger Delta over a three-month sampling period. A cross-sectional design was adopted, and triplicate samples were collected from multiple operational locations, including Amalgamated Marine and Technical Services Limited (AMAT), Nigerian Exploration and Production Limited (NEPL), and a treated reference source (Well Workover Node). Physicochemical parameters were determined using standard methods, while microbial quality was evaluated using membrane filtration, biochemical identification, and phenotypic virulence screening. Results showed that measured parameters were within recommended limits; however, bacterial isolates with detectable virulence traits were present, indicating Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae, Serratia marcescens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus subtilis. Virulence screening demonstrated haemolytic activity in 40% of isolates and lipase expression in 60%, suggesting heterogeneous but tangible pathogenic potential. The contrast between chemical compliance and detectable virulence traits indicates that physicochemical conformity does not equate to microbiological security. These findings demonstrate that physicochemical compliance does not guarantee microbiological safety, highlighting the need for integrated water quality monitoring in petroleum-influenced aquatic systems.