Identification of Faecal and Urinary Bacteria in Margodadi Embung, South Lampung

Abstract

Margodadi Embung (retention basin) is located in South Lampung, Indonesia, which is designed for irrigation use and water conservation area. This Embung is surrounded by different types of farm fields, such as corn plant, cassava plant, palm tree and paddy fields. The farmers were using manure and chemical fertilizers for their fields, and they also cleaned their cattle in Embung after plowing at the farm. Those various activities around Embung can be the source of pollutant that decrease the water quality in Margodadi Embung. This study was aim to identify the water quality of Margodadi Embung from the parameter of faecal and urinary bacteria. Water sampling were carried out during the rainy and dry season conditions, at three sampling points at Margodadi Embung. The methods for calculating the number of faecal bacteria were using Most Probable Number (MPN), while biochemical test of faecal bacteria were using Eosin Methylene Blue (EMB) media. Afterwards, to find out the other contaminating bacteria from urine, the plate count method in selective media were conducted. The results show that the total of faecal coliform bacteria were 2604 MPN/100 mL in dry season, and 1340 MPN/100 mL in rainy season, and the urinary bacteria were 100 CFU/mL. It can be concluded that the water quality of Embung was suitable for irrigation use.