Abstract
Bacteriophages are regarded as enteric viral indicators in faecally contaminated water systems and may indicate the presence of human viral pollution. They are relatively resistant to inactivation by natural and treatment processes. In this study, the presence of somatic coliphages and F-RNA coliphages was investigated in potable water from rural areas in the North West province. Water samples were aseptically collected from boreholes and tap water from some rural communities in the North West Province. Physical parameters of the water, such as the temperature, pH and turbidity, were measured before sample collection. Double-agar layer assay was performed using ISO, (1995, 2000) standard methods. Bottled water was used as a negative control and the strains фX174 and MS2 as positive controls. Of the 16 water samples collected, 15 were positive for somatic bacteriophages while F-RNA coliphages were detected in only two samples. Amongst the positive samples 189 and three plaque forming units were obtained for both somatic and F-RNA coliphages, respectively. No coliphage was detected in water from Masamane tap 1. The rest of the samples obtained from various rural areas were positive and did not comply with national and international standards for potable water. This was a cause for concern and should be further investigated.
Highlights
In South Africa, the availability of safe and clean water is a serious problem in rural areas in the North West Province
The values obtained for physical parameters were compared to standard reference values on the SANS 241 (Table 1) drinking water quality guidelines [22] that were used by South African authorities to ascertain if the quality of water is in compliance with the appropriate drinking water standards
The present study was designed to determine the physicochemical quality of groundwater that is consumed by individuals in some rural communities in the North West Province, South Africa
Summary
In South Africa, the availability of safe and clean water is a serious problem in rural areas in the North West Province. Individuals who live in areas use water directly from available sources without any treatment and, are exposed to a variety of water-related diseases [1,2,3,4,5,6,7]. The faecal coliform group of bacteria has been used as a water quality parameter and indicator of faecal pollution [8,9,10]. The presence of bacteria of faecal origin in water indicates that other intestinal pathogens could be present in water. The absence of faecal indicator bacteria does not necessarily imply that pathogens are absent [11]. Resistance of various pathogenic microorganisms to the water purification process is wide ranging and dependent on many factors
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