Agricultural Research Management Information System

Home
Research Summary
Search
About Us
- ARMIS
- Brochure
Contact Us
Report
User Request
Data Input
Help
- Operation Manual
  - PDF
  - Video
- Program Area & Commodity
We have reached 37600 number of research entries at this moment.

- Logout

Research Detail

Home
Research
Detail

Sanitary Quality and Public Health Significance of Drinking Water Obtained from Different Communities

Md. Atiqul Haque
Department of Microbiology and Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh

Md. Shamim Ahasan*
Department of Medicine, Surgery and Obstetrics, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Science, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur 5200, Bangladesh

MM Rahman
Department of Microbiology and Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Safe drinking water and good sanitary measures are important determinants of public health of a community. The aims of the present study were to assess the bacteriological quality of water supplies to the different communities of Mymensingh district during the period from March, 2007 to November, 2007 relating to the socioeconomic status of the inhabitants and to suggest interventions in minimizing microbial contamination. The communities were of enlighten, slum, densely populated, urban, rural and BAU campus. Microbiological and orgnanoleptic quality test of water were carried out in this study. For determination of microbiological quality total viable count (TVC), total coliform count (TCC), total streptococcal count (TStC) and for determination of organoleptic quality taste panel score attributes (color, odor, taste and transparency) were studied. The result showed that there was a significant (p<0.01) relationship between the mean values of TVC, TCC, TStC and taste panel scores of water samples of different communities. Moreover, the water quality of enlighten community was superior and the slum community was poor. TCC was considerably present in slum, densely populated, rural and BAU campus communities. Salmonella and E. coli were found in water supplies to the slum and densely populated communities. In conclusion, most of the communities in the study area were consuming unhygienic water and maintaining poor sanitary measures which warrant further major improvement of the utility services owing to good public health.

Keywords: Safe drinking water, Community, Sanitary measures, Microbiological quality, Orgnanoleptic quality

Location: Mymensingh district

Start Date: 00-03-2007

End Date: 00-11-2007

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Drinking water

Objectives:

i. To assess the bacteriological quality of water supplies in different communities such as enlighten, densely populated, slum, urban and rural communities. ii. To predict the comparative public health implication associated with rural and urban communities. iii. To find out the extent of microbial contaminants in water from municipality supplied water to the city dwellers and filter water from household residents of university campus. iv. To demonstrate the evidence of interrelatedness between bacteriological quality of domestic water supply and practice of sanitation. v. To formulate and suggest interventions to minimize microbial contaminants in water supply.

Methodology:

The research work was conducted in six selected communities namely enlighten (municipality), densely populated (Mymensingh town), slum (Sutiakhali), urban (Shombuganj and Katthgola), rural (Valuka, Trisal and Muktagasa) and halls and residence (BAU campus) during the period from March, 2007 to November, 2007.1. Collection and transportation of water samples Water samples were collected in sterile bottle. After organoleptic examination bottle was marked, covered with aluminum foil, kept in an insulated ice box and taken to the laboratory. Then, the samples were kept in a refrigerator for detailed microbiological examination later. 2. Determination of morphology of bacteria by Gram’s staining method The Gram’s staining method was performed as per method described by Merchant and Packer (1976). Briefly, a small colony was picked up with a bacteriological loop, smeared on a glass slide and fixed by gentle heating. Crystal violet solution was then applied on the smear to stain for two minutes and then washed with running water. Gram’s iodine was added to act as mordent for one minutes and then again washed with running water. Acetone alcohol was then added, which act as a decolorizer. After 10 second washing with water and safranine was added as counter stain and allowed to stain for 1 to 2 minutes. Then the slide was washed with water, blotted and dried in air and then examined under microscope with 100 × objectives. 3. Isolation and identification of Salmonella Culture into different media Loopful aliquot was taken form the selenite broth culture and streaked on MacConkey agar and SS agar. The media containing streaked culture were kept at 37ºC overnight in an incubator. The pale and transparent colonies appeared on MacConkey agar plates and transparent colonies that appeared on SS agar plates were fished out and in pure culture isolation were made. Identification of isolated Salmonella by using specific biochemical tests Several biochemical tests were performed for confirmation of Salmonellaisolates. Carbohydrate fermentation test The carbohydrate fermentation test was performed by inoculating a loopful of NB culture of the isolated organisms into the tubes containing different sugar media (five basic sugars such as dextrose, sucrose, lactose, maltose and mannitol) and incubated for 24 hours at 37⁰C. Acid production was indicated by the color change from reddish to yellow and gas production was noted by the appearance of gas bubbles in the inverted Durham’s tube. Catalase test For this study a small colony from the pure culture was smeared on a slide. Then one drop of catalase (3% H2O2) was added on the smear. The slide was observed for bubble formation. All of the isolates were catalase positive; formation of bubble within few seconds was the indication of positive test, while the absence of bubble formation indicates negative result (Cheesbrough, 1985). Methyl red test The test was conducted by inoculating a pure culture colony of the test organism in 0.5 ml sterile glucose phosphate broth. After overnight incubation at 37⁰C, a drop of methyl red solution was added. A red coloration is positive and indicates an acid pH of 4.5 or less resulting from the fermentation of glucose. A yellow coloration is negative (Cheesbrough, 1985). Voges- Proskauer (VP) test 2 ml sterile glucose phosphate peptone water was inoculated into 5 ml test sample. It was incubated at 37ºC for 48 hours. A very small amount (knife point) of creatine was added and mixed. Three ml sodium hydroxide was added and shake well. The bottle cap was removed and left for an hour at room temperature. It was observed closely for the slow development of a pink color for positive cases. In negative cases there was no development of pink color (Cheesbrough, 1985). Indole test 2 ml peptone water was inoculated into 5 ml bacterial culture and incubated for 48 hours. Kovac’s reagent (0.5 ml) was added, shake well and examined after 1 minute. A red color in the reagent layer indicated indole production. In negative cases there is no development of red color (Cheesbrough, 1985). 4. Isolation and identification of E. coli Culture into different media Sterilized platinum loop was used for streaking the lactose broth culture on EMB agar, MacConkey agar and Salmonella-Shigella (SS) agar to get isolates in pure culture. All inoculated media were kept at 37 ?C for overnight in an incubator. In positive cases on EMB agar it shows smooth circular colonies with dark centers and metallic sheen, on MacConkey agar shows rose pink color colonies and on SS agar shows pink color colonies. Identification of E. coli by Gram’s staining Gram’s staining was performed to determine the size, shape and arrangement of bacteria. The organism if E. coli revealed gram-negative, pink color, large rod shape appearance, arranged in single or paired.

Source of Information: BANGLADESH RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS JOURNAL ISSN: 1998-2003, Volume: 4, Issue: 3, Page: 226-234, September - October, 2010

Article Link (Online Journal): http://www.bdresearchpublications.com/admin/journal/upload/09172/09172.pdf

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The presence of microorganisms in water has public health importance because it might play direct or indirect role for the commencement of various enteric and water-borne diseases in man. The impact of an effective water supply and sanitation program in rural and urban areas of our country under variable conditions needs to be given particular attention as the insanitary conditions of water supply give rise to various diseases.

Knowledge Management: Journal