Abstract
Drinking water quality plays a remarkable role in human infections and diseases. This study used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques to detect bacterial pathogens. In addition, a physicochemical analysis was performed on drinking water samples from several sources. A total of 123 drinking water samples were collected from different areas in the Jazan region in Saudi Arabia: ground water (40 samples), bottled water (15 samples), tap water (52 samples), and water purification shops (16 samples). To isolate the bacterial pathogens, the water samples were spread on Nutrient and MacConkey agar media, and the grown pathogens were then identified by the 16S ribosomal RNA technique. In 87 (70.7%) of the 123 drinking water samples, there was no pathogen growth on the two-culture medium. However, 36 (29.3%) of the samples were found to be contaminated with bacteria. The physicochemical analysis indicated that the water samples were within the Saudi drinking water standards. The bacteria were resistant to Cefotaxime, Cefotaxime/Clavulanic acid, Erythromycin, Penicillin G, Rifampin and Sulfamethoxazole-Trimethoprim, respectively. The findings suggest that in Jazan, bottled water is a safer source of potable water than tap water. The contamination in the water may be occurring at the reservoirs rather than the water sources.
Highlights
Access to safe drinking water can improve health, productivity, and the ability to earn a living
polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques were used for the detection of specific pathogenic bacteria in the potable water from sources such as groundwater, commercially bottled water, tap water, residential water tanks, water purification shops, and tap water in houses
The detection of bacterial pathogens in the water samples collected from different areas in Jazan is an important environmental issue because of the public health consequences
Summary
Access to safe drinking water can improve health, productivity, and the ability to earn a living. Because water is in short supply in Saudi Arabia, groundwater is the main source of the water that is suitable for human ingestion (Alhababy & Al-Rajab ). Jazan is located in the southwestern part of Saudi Arabia (1653021′′N 4233040′′E). It is approximately 13,457 km, and according to the 2010 census, the population is 1,365,110. Several studies have reported on the physical and chemical contamination of groundwater by wastewater, pesticides, fertilizers, and industrial waste
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