The Microbiological Survey of Potential Water Borne Pathogens in Fresh Water Springs of the SelectedCommunity Located in the Upolu Island, Samoa

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the sanitary quality of three freshwater springs by estimating the concentration of total coliform (TC) and faecal coliform (FC) bacteria as pollution indicators. Water samples were collected twice a month during the period August 2008 to January 2009; from springs on the island of Upolu, Samoa. For bacteriological analysis, the membrane filtration method was used for the two groups of bacteria. samples from the three sites were found contaminated with total coliform and faecal coliform bacteria and the counts were higher than the maximum microbial contaminant level established by World Health Organization (WHO). The results imply that the springs were heavily polluted by bacteria of faecal origin suggesting that, these springs are potential sources of health hazards which is important from a public health perspective. Index Terms—Total coliform, faecal coliform indicators, Samoa. The current priority strategic areas of development for Samoa have been identified in the Samoa Strategy for the Development of Samoa (SDS), with the vision of an Quality of Life for All (1). Improved life implies access to good quality drinking water for the well being of all citizens. In recent years, there have been reported outbreaks of certain waterborne diseases such as cholera, dysentery and typhoid with the latter occurring in high rates in certain parts of Samoa (2). In May and June of 2005, there were respectively ten and nineteen confirmed cases of typhoid in Samoa. The severity of the typhoid problem in Samoa has been reiterated by a representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO) to the local media