Bacterial Contamination of Drinking Water in Tehsil Oghi, Mansehra Pakistan
Bacterial Contamination of Drinking Water in Tehsil Oghi, Mansehra Pakistan
SAEED AHMED*1, ZIA-UR-RAHMAN1, SALMA KHALID2, TARIQ KHAN1, ARSHAD IQBAL3
& ZAMARUD SHAH4
ABSTRACT
To analyze the microbiological quality of drinking water from different sources (tap water, open wells, stream water, spring water and water supply networks such as municipal main storage tank) in rural communities of the Oghi; a total of 175 water samples were collected from the study area with 35 samples from each source. All the samples were analyzed for microbial contamination by pour plate method, membrane filtration technique and MacConkey agar for the isolation of Enterobacteriaceae. Different identification tests have been carried out by using various selective and differential media (MacConkey agar, Eosine & Methylene Blue agar) for isolation and identification of microorganisms.Water samples showed the presence of faecal contamination; especially coliform bacteria which is a risk for the health of local community. Salmonella spp. was detected in 7.42 % of water samples having range 1-20 CFU 100ml-1, while E.coli was detected in 91.4% of water samples having colonial population between 1-40 CFU/100ml. According to this study, 98 % of the water sources of study area did not meet the safe limits for drinking water of the country as well as the WHO guidelines. Conclusively it was declared that water quality is unacceptable for human consumption. It is therefore recommended that the authorities should take every possible measure to provide safe and clean water to household especially drinking water. Filtration plants, proper chlorination and awareness program should be carried out for safe drinking water.
Key Words: Drinking water, Microbial contamination, waste management.
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December 2017
Vol.63, Iss. 2, Pages 125-234
