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Physicochemical and Microbial Water Quality of Sylhet City Corporation, Bangladesh

Hoque M
Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Sylhet Agricultural University (SAU), Sylhet, Bangladesh

Ahmed S*
Department of Microbiology and Hygiene, Sylhet Agricultural University (SAU), Sylhet, Bangladesh

Alam MJ
Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Sylhet Agricultural University (SAU), Sylhet, Bangladesh

Purkayastha M
Department of Microbiology and Hygiene, Sylhet Agricultural University (SAU), Sylhet, Bangladesh

Belal A
Department of Chemistry, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), Sylhet,

Anwar MA
Veterinary Surgeon, Dept of Livestock Services, Jamalganj, Sunamganj, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) of Bangladesh is supplying water to the Sylhet city dwellers through its distribution network. The quality of water is at risk to deteriorate during its flow through the distribution system and also due to probability of high elemental concentrations in groundwater. To identify such probable water contamination problems; water samples from 20 (out of 27) different wards of the city were analyzed in this study. The parameters analyzed were pH, turbidity, total alkalinity as Calcium carbonate CaCO₃, total hardness, iron, manganese, arsenic, chloride, fluoride, MPN (Most Probable Number), total viable count (TVC), coliform and fecal coliform. The study revealed that all the physico-chemical parameters except alkalinity were in the permissible limit. All the samples were found to have total alkalinity as CaCO₃ value higher than the WHO and Bangladesh Standards limit. But the water from treatment plant was found to have high turbidity and iron concentration. Analysis of microbial water quality parameters revealed that there was no coliform and fecal coliform contamination. But high value of MPN index and total viable count indicates that there were obvious contamination and chances of contamination by non-fecal pathogens. Finally, it is concluded and recommended that the water treatment facilities of SCC have to be improved, further investigation should be done to identify the non-fecal organisms and the cause of high total viable bacteria should be detected and corrected for the betterment of the city dwellers.

Keywords: Arsenic, MPN, Viable count, Water quality, Water supply.

Location: Department of Microbiology and Hygiene, Sylhet Agricultural University (SAU), Sylhet and at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), Sylhet.

Start Date: 00-00-2010

End Date:

Program Area: Quality and Nutrition

Commodity: Water quality

Objectives:

The present study was undertaken with some distinct aims; these are determination of the physico-chemical and microbiological qualities of water and also compare the water qualities with the different standards to assess the health risks of city dwellers consuming water supplied by SCC.

Methodology:

The study was conducted in 2010 at the Department of Microbiology and Hygiene, Sylhet Agricultural University (SAU), Sylhet and at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), Sylhet. Water samples were collected from 20 wards of SCC (out of 27). A volume of 2 liters of water was collected for each sample, 40 samples were collected from 20 different outlets with sterile containers. In all cases mid stream water samples were collected. The samples were maintained at 4°C until the tests were performed. Samples of the water were added to lactose broth and the most probable number (MPN) of bacteria was obtained accordingly. For confirming the presence of coliform (E coli), the Eosine Methylene Blue (EMB) agar were inoculated and incubated accordingly; E. coli grows as small colonies on this medium with metallic sheen, whereas E. aerogenes colonies are usually large and lack the sheen. EMB agar plates are incubated at 45°C for 24 hours to differ the fecal and non-fecal coliform. Growth of the bacteria in elevated temperature indicates the presence of fecal coliform. Standard plate count (SPC) was performed on plate count agar. For determination of the physico-chemical properties; the PH was measured by a digital PH Meter. Turbidity was measured by a Turbidity Meter. Total Alkalinity was measured by titration method. Total hardness was determined by Soda Reagent method. Iron was determined by production of red colored iron compound (ferric thiocyanate), by the addition of potassium thiocyanate. The UV Spectrophotometer was used for detection of the amount of color change. Manganese was determined by colorometric test using nitric acid and silver nitrate; and assay of the color change by UV spectrophotometer. The inorganic arsenic is absorbed in the form of AsH₃ by the Silver diethyledithiocarbamate (SDDC) solution in an absorber unit. Presence of arsenic was investigated by the method and the results were recorded be UV Spectrophotometer. Chloride was determined in MOHR method by titration with a standard silver nitrate solution in the presence of potassium chromate indicator. The colorimetric estimation of fluoride was done using SPANDS solution and zirconyl-acid using UV Spectrophotometer at 570nm. All microbial and physicochemical properties were determined, following the instruction of "Practical Microbiology" by- S. N. Kaul; and “Standard Method for the Examination of Water and Wastewater" 16’th edition; prepared and published by: American Public Health Association, American Water Works Association and Water Pollution Control Federation.

Source of Information: International Journal of Natural Sciences (2012), 2(1):33-37

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The physico-chemical properties of the water samples are of good quality except the sample no 13. Although there are 7 samples with low PH but none of these were extreme. These samples are excellent for drinking and household uses considering the turbidity, hardness, iron, manganese, arsenic, chloride and fluoride content. But the total alkalinity concentrations of all samples are higher than the guideline values given by WHO and Bangladesh Standards. The microbial properties of these water samples are questionable, though there is no fecal contamination proved. Only the sample no 13 is not a satisfactory water source for drinking and household purposes. Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) supplies water from deep tube well sources. So the high microbial content may be due to the supply system. Only the sample no 13 is the water supplied after treatment process and its water source is Surma River. So the water treatment facilities of Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) are not sufficient for ensuring reliable water supply.

Knowledge Management: Journal