Do we have clean domestic water sources; A study on microbiological quality of domestic wells in Maharagama and Boralesgamuwa MOH areas

Abstract

Attached

Objectives: To investigate the microbiological, quality o f well water samples collected from Maharagama and Boralesgamuwa MOH areas. M ethods: W ater samples were collected from a total of twenty five domestic, wells from Maharagama and Boralesgamuwa MOH areas. The colifonns and E. coli counts were enumerated using multiple tube method as per “Sri Lanka standard specification for potable water Part 2 - 1983: Bacteriological requirements (SLS 614: Part 2: 1983”. The results were interpreted according to the “Sri Lanka Standard 614: 2013 - Specification for potable water”. The interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect the data regarding factors that could attribute to microbial contamination. Results: Results revealed that twenty of the wells were unsuitable for consumption as colifonns and E. coli were found to be above the Sri Lankan Standards ie.,more than 10 coliform bacteria/100 mL and detection o f E. colU 100 mL, respectively. Twenty of the wells were positive for total coliform count where as five of them were positive for E. coli, indicating a recent faecal pollution. However, the results highlighted the fact that the occurrence of colifonns is predisposed with the distance between the wells and the toilet pit was less than 10 m. Conclusions: Twenty of the wells analyzed were not secure microbiologically for drinking without additional treatments such as boiling or disinfection. The appropriate environmental and personal hygiene must be maintained by the users to avoid contamination with microorganisms otherwise this could lead to outbreak of water borne diseases.