Analysis of drinking water in airports, airplanes and public water facilities.

Abstract

The results indicated that drinking water samples from 4 (44.4%) of 9 airports and from 2 (22.2%) of 9 airplanes gave a positive qualitative test for at least any one of ammoniacal nitrogen, nitrite nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen. Samples from 8 (57.1%) of 14 airports, from 8 (66.7%) of 12 airplanes and from 10 (62.5%) of 16 public facilities showed a value for the consumption of potassium permanganate of 20 mg/l or above. Those from 5 (31.3%) of 16 airports, from 3 (18.8%) of 16 airplanes and from 3 (15.0%) of 20 public facilities had a hardness of 200 mg/l or above. A total bacterial count of 1.0×102/ml or above was obtained for samples from 6 (66.7%) of 9 airports, from 7 (63.6%) of 11 airplanes and from 11 (61.1%) of 18 public facilities; a positive coliform group culture was noted for samples from 5 (62.5%) of 8 airports, from 6 (60.0%) of 10 airplanes and from 4 (36.4%) of 11 public facilities. Residual chloride was not detected in any measurable amount in samples from 9 (56.3%) of 16 airports, from 2 (40.0%) of 5 airplanes and from 4 (57.1%) of 7 public facilities.Bacteriological examination of 29 samples positive for total bacteria and coliform bacilli revealed that Escherichia coli was detected most frequently, followed by Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, Aeromonas hydrophilia, Pseudomonas spp., Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Enterobacter cloacae and Citrobacter freundii in that descending order.Striking correlation were noted to exist between negativity for residual chloride and positivities for total bacteria or coliform group; and then positivities for ammoniacal nitrogen, nitrite nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, a heightend value of the consumption of potassium permanganate and positivities for total bacteria or coliform group.