Microbiological quality in ground water of the Kelani river basin, Sri Lanka

Abstract

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Global estimates suggest that nearly 1.5 billion people lack safe drinking water and that at least 5 million deaths per year can be attributed to waterborne diseases. Bacterial diseases frequently linked to consumption of drinking water contaminated with Shigella spp., Salmonella spp., and Campylobacter spp.. Kelani river basin is the third largest watershed and fourth longest river of the country and provides 80% drinking water for grater Colombo. Majority of people who live within the river basin, extracts ground water for drinking and their other daily consumption as well. Objective: The present study was carried out to assess the microbiological quality including presence of Salmonella spp., Shigella spp. and Campylobacter spp. of ground water from Kelani river basin. Methodology: Water from seventy two ground water sampling locations in the river basin was tested for microbiological parameters total coliform, fecal coliform, Salmonella, Shigella, and Campylobacter. Samples were collected and transported according to the PHI manual, Ministry of health Sri Lanka (2010). Samples were analyzed following Health Protection Agency, National Standard Method for detection of Salmonella spp., Shigella spp. and Campylobacter spp. and Sri Lanka Standard Institute test methods were used for the detection of fecal coliform and total coliform in groundwater Results: Ninety six percent of (70) ground water samples in the Kelani river basin were contaminated with total coliform and 17% (12) of samples were contaminated with Salmonella spp. Three percent of samples were contaminated with Campylobacter spp.. Conclusion: The results showed that ground water of the river basin is not suitable for direct consumption as drinking water and important to educate the public to consume boiled cooled water for drinking