Enumeration of Bacteriophages from Mmabatho Treatment Plant and Some Selected Water Sources in Ngaka Modiri Molema District of North-West Province, South Africa

Abstract

Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria, those that specifically infect E. coli and other coliforms are termed coliphages. While not a threat to humans, occurrence of somatic and F-RNA coliphages has been correlated with the presence of human enteric viruses in faecal-polluted water environments. This study focused on investigating the incidence of somatic coliphages and F-RNA coliphages from Mmabatho treatment plant and some selected water sources in Ngaka Modiri Molema District of the North West province. A total of 17 water samples were analysed for the presence of somatic and F-RNA phages using the double-agar-layer plaque assay according to the standard ISO method, ISO 10705-1(1995, 2000). The physico-chemical properties of the water samples were measured before sample collection. Bottled water was used as a negative control and the phage strains фX174 and MS2 as positive controls. Out of the 17 samples collected, (76%) were positive for somatic coliphages, no F-RNA coliphages were detected while 24% of the samples had no coliphages. Thus, the presence of coliphages indicates that the water sources do not meet up to national and international requirement for drinking water quality. Furthermore, monitoring water environments for possible faecal contamination is necessary to ensure public health and safety.