Assessment of microbiological and chemical quality of springwater in Riverston of Knuckles mountain range in Sri Lanka

A T Herath

doi:10.4038/jsc.v12i2.38

Abstract

Safe and readily available water is important for public health, whether it is used for drinking, domestic use, food production or recreational purposes. The main objectives of this study were to assess the microbiological and chemical quality of spring water in Riverston, situated in the Knuckles Mountain range, Sri Lanka and to identify bacteria isolated from spring water. Water samples were collected from ten springs from different locations. Microbiological and chemical analysis were carried out according to standard protocols. Isolated bacteria were identified using biochemical tests and API identification system. According to the results, Total coliforms (TC) (ranged from 0-27 per 100 ml) and Fecal coliforms (FC) (ranged from 38-326 per 100 ml) bacteria were detected in all water samples tested, and the detected numbers exceeded permitted levels for drinking water. There are four TC species, viz; Escherichia vulneris, Serratia marcescens, Serratia liquefaciens and Proteus mirabilis and one FC species, viz; Escherichia coli (dominant species), were identified during the study. All chemical parameters tested were within the permitted levels. This study reveals that spring water in Riverston, Knuckles Mountain Range is not a safe drinking water source. Hence, it is important to take necessary precautions, especially as spring waters from these areas are consumed by many and is the main source water for the bottling industry in Sri Lanka.

Highlights

Natural freshwater is the most valuable resource which is distributed unevenly around the globe
The main objectives of this study were to assess microbiological and chemical quality of springwater in Riverston, situated in the Knuckles Mountain range, Sri Lanka and to identify bacteria isolated from springwater
The numbers of Total coliforms (TC) should be higher than Fecal coliforms (FC), which are generally present as a contaminant from fecal matter [8]

Summary

Introduction

Natural freshwater is the most valuable resource which is distributed unevenly around the globe. A major portion of the available water is trapped in areas where humans cannot utilize it for their daily needs. Around 785 million people do not have access to adequate water supply sources [1]. Drinking water is defined as one which does not contain disease producing organisms and chemical substances deleterious to health [2]. Drinking water comes from two major sources; surface water and groundwater. The natural surface water sources include rivers, streams and lakes and groundwater sources are wells and springs

Objectives

Results

Conclusion