Water Contamination of Suburban South India and its Implication for Enteric Infection

Abstract

Microbial contamination of drinking water is the major reason for prevalence of diarrheal disease. This study assessed both microbial and chemical contamination of Community Water supply wells (CW) from November 2009 to December 2010. To analyze the seasonal and spatial variations, monthly sampling was done. In order to identify the risk of diarrheal prevalence the study also surveyed 290 household and gathered information on household water storage, symptoms of diarrhea. Drinking water samples were collected from the household and analysed for E. coli contamination as it is the main indicator of microbial contamination. Community water and purchased water samples showed high microbial contamination. Standard spread plate method were used to enumerate the total coliform and E. coli. Pathogenic organism were isolated and identified from CW3, CW4 and CW5. The enumeration of E coli ranges from 19-60 cfu/ml in pre monsoon, 7-150 cfu/ml in post monsoon season, Fecal streptococci ranges from 0-33cfu/ml and 11-55 cfu/ml in pre and post monsoon respectively. Vibrio sp. is observed only in post monsoon season for the community water supply well. Diarrheal prevalence is comparatively high in community water sources and purchased water consumer than in groundwater consumers. To protect public health routine monitoring and disinfection of ground water for the portable use should be implemented in all the suburban areas.