Bacteriological Water Research Articles

Results of departmental control of bacteriological water pollution within the limits of the “One Health” concept

The article is devoted to the analysis of the state of contamination of water from surface reservoirs and drinking water by bacteriological agents at the facilities of operators of the market of char products under the control of the State Production and Consumer Service in the Kharkiv region and the importance of studying this factor of contamination. Using the sources of domestic and foreign literature, the data of our research, the article presents information on the spread of bacteriological contamination of surface water bodies (from fish farms) and drinking water in the production of food products and the results of sanitary and microbiological control of drinking water samples. Sanitary and microbiological control of water quality establishes the degree of its safety under the requirements for a centralized drinking water supply. The main sanitary test for water contamination by intestinal secretions of warm-blooded animals remains bacteria of the group Escherichia coli (E. coli). Unlike the vast majority of countries, stricter requirements for the quality of drinking water concerning this indicator have been preserved in Ukraine, that is, all types of glucose-positive coliform bacteria are taken into account, not only lactose-positive variants. This approach is justified since many lactose-negative intestinal bacteria can not only enter but also multiply under appropriate conditions in drinking water and harm human health. Water as the main or auxiliary raw material is used in the vast majority of technological processes of food production. Practically all food production is connected with the consumption of water from the water supply system, boreholes, or wells. Although the drinking water that «reaches» the «faucet» of the enterprise producing food products undergoes several stages of purification, it still remains a risk factor for contamination, including bacteriological contamination. The increase in the number of operators of the food market, and non-compliance with the requirements during the circulation of objects of sanitary measures leads to an increase in the risks of contamination and infection of people. Only periodic laboratory bacteriological control of the state of drinking water at the facilities of the food market operator can ensure the circulation of food products that do not harm human health and are suitable for consumption. The relevance of the problem of fecal contamination of drinking water is also due to the periodic lack of electricity, as water purification systems work unstable. Also, it should be noted that the summer of 2024 in Ukraine was abnormally warm. The reproduction of pathogens often depends on the temperature of the water, which is manifested as a ratio of favorable temperature and the manifestation of clinical signs of the disease. Pathogens also have optimal temperature ranges for reproduction. An increase in water temperature will increase the introduction of exotic pathogens originating from regions with a higher environmental thermal index. The destruction of the infrastructure leads to the deterioration of the sanitary and hygienic condition of settlements, and life support facilities, and the complication of the epidemic and epizootic situation. An environment favorable for the spread of dangerous infectious diseases is created. One Health and climate change adaptation can significantly contribute to food security, environmental sanitation, and steps towards regional and global integrated surveillance and response systems

Antibacterial activity of functionalized natural zeolites (NZ-AgNPs) and its application in bacteriological water treatment and commercial paints

Developing advanced materials with efficient antibacterial properties to guarantee human health protection is urgent. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial performance of natural zeolite (NZ) functionalized with silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs), obtained from a green reducing method using Moringa oleifera seed extract (NZ-AgNPs), against a Gram-negative bacteria, namely Escherichia coli (E. coli). Moreover, two applications were tested: bacteria adsorption for water treatment, namely Escherichia coli, and its incorporation in commercial paints. The proposed modifications were confirmed by advanced characterization techniques (TEM, SEM, EDX, FTIR, XRD, and ZP). The antibacterial activity assay was conducted using minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). The results demonstrated the advantages of using an inorganic support for carrying biocidal agents. The required amount of Ag NPs, when it was supported onto NZ (NZ-AgNPs), was four times less to exhibit the bactericidal effect against Escherichia coli than Ag NPs on their own since they had the same MBC value (1.56 mg ml−1). The observed adsorption behavior corroborates such findings and demonstrates that 0.01 g of the proposed composite achieved 100 % of E. coli removal and 9.85 log reduction. Regarding commercial paint experiments, the NZ-AgNPs successfully demonstrated the potential to inhibit bacterial growth with an inhibition zone (IZ) of 41 mm. Using inorganic carriers, as NZ, for controlling the biocidal compound release can bring economic and environmental advantages because zeolite is a natural material and the saved amount of biocidal agent, namely Ag NPs, are desirable features of a new antibacterial additive’s generation.

Analysing the interlinkage between diarrhoea and drinking water faecal contamination in India

ABSTRACT Diarrhoea is one of the major waterborne diseases spread through the faecal–oral route causing over 10 million cases and over 1,000 deaths per year in India. This study critically evaluates the interlinkage between bacteriological water quality, i.e. faecal coliforms and diarrhoea cases for the three pre-pandemic years 2017, 2018 and 2019 based on multiple sources. With around 17% of households tap water connectivity as of August 2019, the majority of the Indian population depends on raw groundwater (GW) and surface water sources. For this, faecal coliform (FC) levels in surface and GW have been mapped at district levels using data from India's National Water Quality Monitoring Programme. Health Management Information System's data on diarrhoea have been used to understand the monthly and district-wise variation of diarrhoea. The trends of FC, diarrhoea inpatient cases, and diarrhoea inpatient rates have been discussed. The analysis showed issues associated with the reliability and usefulness of these datasets with 43% of total India districts with no reported FC values for the study period. This study reveals a clear gap in the interlinkage between diarrhoea and bacteriological water quality with the unavailability of granular water quality data as a major challenge.

Temporal dynamics of bacterial populations in recirculating aquaculture systems for sea urchin production

Introduction: Sea urchin aquaculture is a rising industry, and in consequence, there is a need to establish optimal culture parameters to ensure the health of the cultured animals.
 Objective: To evaluate the bacterial counts in the seawater of sea urchin (Arbacia dufresnii) aquaculture recirculating systems (RAS).
 Methods: The bacteriological water quality of two RAS containing sea urchins was determined. For approximately two months, weekly water samples were taken. The bacteriological quality was determined by counting total aerobic heterotrophic populations, lactic acid bacteria, enterobacterias and genus Vibrio. Physicochemical parameters were also measured.
 Results: There was no presence of disease or mortality. Enterobacteria and lactic acid bacteria were not detected from both RAS systems. The number of animals had an important effect on the observed difference in the count of total bacteria and Vibrio spp. In RAS 1 the maximum counts of total bacteria and Vibrio spp. were 2.8 x 105 ± 1.7 x 105 and 1.45 x 105 ± 3.6 x 104 UFC ml-1, respectively. In RAS 2 total bacteria and Vibrio spp. exhibited repetitive behavior over time influenced in part by water exchange and mainly by feeding. The results indicate that periodic water changes ensure a limited growth of bacterial strains as Vibrio and other bacteria.
 Conclusions: Our results suggests that the bacterial count levels recorded in this study can be used as a threshold or safety limit for Arbacia dufresnii aquaculture.

Spatio-temporal dynamics of ecological, bacteriological, and overall water quality of the Damodar River, India.

Assessing river water quality is crucial for human and ecological needs because of the deterioration of the river and escalated water pollution under the threats of anthropogenic activities. In order to assess river water quality, the Damodar River water was evaluated from the perspectives of spatio-temporal dynamics of ecological (organic pollution index or OPI and eutrophication index or EI), bacteriological (coliform count and comprehensive bathing water quality index or CBWQI), and overall water quality assessments (water quality index or WQI and comprehensive pollution index or CPI). The OPI reveals that 44.66% of water samples have heavy organic pollution; however, EI depicts that almost all water samples of Damodar River have severe eutrophication, especially in the pre- and post-monsoon seasons. Moreover, the fecal coliform count and CBWQI indicate the unsuitability of river water for bathing. The overall WQI portrays that 21.56%, 33.59%, and 22.47% of water samples have heavy pollution in pre-monsoon, monsoon, and post-monsoon, respectively. Moreover, 73.39% of water samples have low CPI indicating slight comprehensive pollution. This study also reveals that the pollution level in the Damodar River downstream of the Durgapur barrage is high among the other stations. The major reasons behind the severe contamination of Damodar River water are urban-industrial and agricultural effluents mixing into the river that lead to higher concentrations of BOD, DO, fecal coliform, COD, fluoride TSS, and turbidity in the river water. Thus, this study carries appreciated information on policy recommendations for the different stakeholders of the Damodar River basin including regional planners, agri-engineers, and ecological river engineers for sustainable river management.

Spatial evolution of physicochemical and bacteriological water quality at the Mouth of Oued Sebou, Kenitra Province, Morocco

Spatial evolution of physicochemical and bacteriological water quality at the Mouth of Oued Sebou, Kenitra Province, Morocco

Effect of Climate Change and Human Activities on Surface and Ground Water Quality in Major Cities of Pakistan

In this study, climate change and human impacts on water quality in five major urban areas of Pakistan, including Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Abbottabad, and Gilgit, were determined. Secondary data on various physical, chemical, and bacteriological water quality parameters were taken from published papers, reports, and theses. Surface and groundwater were the major sources of drinking water in these cities. The physicochemical parameters were total turbidity, pH, dissolved solids (TDS), sulphates, chlorides, calcium, sodium, HCO3, potassium, magnesium, nitrates, fluorides, arsenic, and hardness. The bacteriological parameters were total coliform, total faecal coliform, and total plate counts. The data revealed that pH, TDS, fluoride, chloride, HCO3, sodium, and hardness were above the limits in Karachi. MCB Market, Goth Ibrahim, and Malir Town were the main contaminated areas in Karachi. In Lahore, arsenic was found above the limits in all sampling locations. Turbidity, pH, HCO3, calcium, magnesium, and hardness were found above the limits in Peshawar. In Gilgit city, all physicochemical parameters were found within the limits except turbidity, which was 10 NTU in Nomal valley. Nitrates were higher in the water sources in Abbottabad. Bacterial contamination was found in the water of all five cities. Most of the studies revealed that this contamination could be human-induced. The improper disposal of solid waste, sewage, and animal waste and the excessive use of fertilisers deteriorate the quality of the water. Precipitation, a rise in temperature, and seasonal variation are climate variables that affect water quality and are responsible for major outbreaks of waterborne diseases. There is an urgent need for regular analysis, proper management, and proper treatment of drinking water before it is supplied to the local community in these cities.

Extraction and comparative study of seasonal antioxidant activity using Nostoc species isolated from Gali Ali Bag, Erbil.

Seasonal variation of water, antioxidant activities as algal pigments, total antioxidant activities, DPPH, total phenolic compound using three solvents, methanol, acetone, and diethyl ether, of two algal species, N. commune and N. muscarum, were assessed. They also determined the physio-chemical and bacteriological water characteristics at the Gali Ali Bag. A significant variation were observed with an obvious correlation in water quality parameters in different seasons, generally raised in summer and reduced in winter. The two algal species show a higher accumulation of photosynthetic and accessory pigments in spring and summer and a significant decrease in winter. Antioxidant capacity in both algal species was analyzed by a three-way ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis test. However, the contents were significant for all solvents. Moreover, N. muscarum shows the highest capacity in winter and reduced in summer for DPPH; however, the opposite pattern shows by N. commune. Although the total phenolic content of N. commune recorded a significant relation, N. muscarum was non-significant. The Cyanophyta algae show prominent growth responses and antioxidant activities and are better adapted to changing climatic conditions. Due to their prompt responses, even to minor changes in the aquatic environment, they can be used as ecological indicators in freshwater ecosystems.

Perbandingan Metode Membran Filter dan Metode Tabung Ganda Terhadap Kandungan Escherichia coli pada Air Bersih

Escherichia coli bacteria are bacteria used as indicators of contamination. Bacteriological water testing can use a Membrane Filtration (MF) and a Multiple Tube-Fermentation (MTF). This study aims to compare the membrane filtration and Multiple Tube-Fermentation methods on the presence of Escherichia coli in clean water. The two methods are compared to determine the percentage difference in the results of the two tests. The research methodology uses a description of observation. 20 samples of water boreholes were used and tested for the presence of Escherichia coli. Calculation of bacterial groups uses SNI standard references regulated by the Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia. The results showed that the average number of Escherichia coli bacteria by the Multiple Tube-Fermentation method was less than the Membrane Filtration method. There is a difference in the percentage of the results of the two tests by 40%. Multiple Tube Fermentation is more sensitive than the Membrane Filtration method for detecting the presence of Escherichia coli in clean water.Keywords : Water, Escherichia coli, Membrane filtration, Multiple tube-fermentation

Assessment of Wastewater Management at the Etoudi Slaughterhouse in the Municipality of Yaoundé - Cameroon

The management of wastewater in developing countries is a crucial challenge. The overall objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of discharges from the slaughterhouse Etoudi on physico-chemical and bacteriological water quality of the Ako'o. This study was conducted in two phases. The first phase (preliminary) in April 2022, during which a prospecting along the rivers and its watershed was performed. The second phase extended from May to October 2022, was dedicated in the collection of hydrological data, samples of water samples and bacteriological at each station coupled to the data analysis. This wastewater were collected from different stations, stored in refrigerated cooler and brought back to the laboratory for monitoring physical, chemical and bacteriological parameters according to standard protocols. The results show the effluent discharges from the slaughterhouse Etoudi exhibit high levels of pollution physicochemical (CND, MES, NO₃, NH₄⁺, PO₄^3ˉ, COD and BOD 5) and bacteriological (CF and SF) in the receiving environment having a negative impact on the watercourse Ako'o. negative impacts were increased to 90% by the dunghill faeces oxen or invading the rights of way areas. Existing gutters are littered with faeces of any kind and are not priests. Which causes recurring floods during the rainy season, the proliferation of insects and rodents and the emanation of foul odors and the persistence of certain diseases such as malaria typhoid fever, dysentery etc. this wastewater join the River Ako'o. This constitutes a major source of environmental pollution in general and rivers of waters Ako'o in particular. The positive impacts threshold is the use of cattle feces for farming populations who find themselves in different fields. Effluent discharges from the slaughterhouse Etoudi present an environmental and health risk because of high concentrations of physicochemical and bacteriological pollutants. A treatment system is needed to ensure environmental and health safety.

Impact of Bacteriological Water Quality on Water Borne Diseases and its Health Costs among Students of the Institutions

In the developing world, a substantial revenue ($0.7 billion per annum in Pakistan (Resources & Tel, 2018) while in India $0.6 billion is lost due to WBDs per year (Pathak, 2015) is spent, by citizens as well as the state, on the treatment of avoidable Water Borne Diseases (WBD), which is often far greater than the investment required to improve water quality. Many agencies like Public Health Engineering, WASA, PCSIR, PCRWR etc. are carrying out water quality tests regularly and publish their findings periodically. However, none of these studies, so far, have included the disease incidence, direct and indirect costs borne by the citizens as well as the state, due to poor water quality and poor hygiene practices such as environmental hygiene, personal hygiene, water and food hygiene. From the result analysis of E.Coli, Total Fecal Coliform Bacteria (TFCB) and Total Plate Count (TPC) Tests it was found that only 5.13 % of samples of water were contaminated with E.Coli and TFCB but from the surveys it was concluded that the disease incidence is more in the study area

Variations in Bacteriological and Physicochemical Water Quality Characteristics of Asata River, Enugu, Nigeria

Variations in Bacteriological and Physicochemical Water Quality Characteristics of Asata River, Enugu, Nigeria

Bacteriological water analysis of Matutinao River in Badian, Cebu, Philippines

As nature tourism becomes increasingly popular, especially in tropical countries, monitoring the environment’s health and making it sustainable is essential. Hundreds of daily tourists visit a popular spot between Kawasan Falls and the Matutinao River in Cebu to participate in the canyoneering activity. This study assessed the bacteriological quality of water in Matutinao River. Obtained water samples were analyzed for heterotrophic plate count (HPC), total coliform, and presence of the Escherichia coli (Castellani and Chalmers 1919) bacteria. It was found that the river had an HPC of 212 to 4.57 × 105 CFU ml-1 and was contaminated with coliforms (1250-1800 MPN/100 ml). The presence of E. coli was also detected. These values exceed the maximum permissible limit for recreation waters (i.e. 100 CFU ml-1 for HPC and 1,000 MPN/100 ml for total coliforms). Ideally, E. coli should also be absent in recreation waters. Although not necessarily harmful, bacteria in recreational waters need to be regularly monitored to prevent potential outbreaks. It is further recommended to revisit existing local policies to help reduce sources of contamination in the river not just to protect the environment but also to promote sustainable tourism.

Dual effect of dietary seaweed of extract nanoparticles (GNS) with bionanocomposite cellulose acetate membranes (CA/bio-AgNps) on growth performance and health status of the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus): Specification on feed utilization, immune system, and antiparasitic action

Seaweed draws a lot of attention for its vital role in aquaculture as it contains beneficial biological compounds that undoubtedly might help in the development of this field. The current study sheds light on the potential efficiency of dietary supplements of Grateloupia acuminata and G. doryphore (Halymeniaceae) nanoparticles (GNS) at different levels with bionanocomposite cellulose acetate membranes (CA/bio-AgNps) on improved growth performance, digestive enzyme activity, immunity, antioxidative, resistance against infectious pathogens, and characterization of water quality treated with CA/bio-AgNps that is used in rearing Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Four concentrations (0.1, 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 ml/L) of GNS extract were tested as potential anti-bacterial and for the efficacy of being parasitic. Fish with an average weight (24.46 ± 0. 50 g) were apportioned into six experimental groups (T0, T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5) represented as 0.0%, 0.0%, 0.1%, 0.25%, 0.5%, and 1.0% GNS in diets with CA/bio-AgNps, respectively. Injection of fish with Aeromonas hydrophila was performed at the end of the trial. Chemical and bacteriological water indices significantly showed improvement after being treated with CA/bio-AgNps than the control group. Growth, carcass composition, digestive enzyme, and hematological and biochemical indices were significantly noticed positive (p< 0.05), especially T4 and T5, than the control group. In parallel, a significant improvement was noticed in serum lysozyme, total immunoglobulin, complement C3, antioxidative enzyme, and the relative expression of hepatic and inflammatory genes with an increased level of GNS (p< 0.05) are upregulated than the control group. Remarkably, GNS-supplemented diets and extracts provided positive efficacy against A. hydrophila with a decreased percentage of fish mortality, besides efficacy on antibacterial strains and Cichlidogyrus tilapiae, respectively. To sum up, the seaweed extract with CA/bio-AgNps resulted in better growth performance of fish, antipathogenic effect, and health status. Furthermore, CA/bio-AgNps were vital in improving water characteristics. They should be studied and applied more in the future.

Seasonal Dynamics in Bacteriological and Physicochemical Water Quality of the Southern Gulf of Lake Tana.

Freshwater lakes are important sources of water for domestic, agricultural, and industrial uses. Lake Tana offers a range of ecosystem services to the surrounding communities. However, this lake is facing deterioration in water quality due to pollution caused by anthropogenic influences. Therefore, regular monitoring of key water quality parameters is critical to understanding the water quality status of the lake. This study aimed to assess the seasonal fluctuation of water quality of the Southern Gulf of Lake Tana using indicator bacteria and some physicochemical parameters. A total of 48 water samples were collected in dry and wet seasons from eight sites in the study area. Total coliforms (TC), faecal coliforms (FC), and some physicochemical parameters (pH, temperature, turbidity, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, ammonium, nitrate, and phosphate) were determined following standard methods. The results revealed that coliform counts were above the permissible level set by Ethiopian Standards and varied significantly among sites (P < 0.05). FC counts ranged from 1 to 1600 MPN/100 ml (with the lowest and highest mean value of 1 at site 8 to 1076.5 ± 3.1 at site 4) and again TC counts ranged from 1 to 1600 MPN/100 ml (with a mean value of 4.8 ± 1.81 at site 6 to 1600 at site 4 and site 8). The findings also confirmed that the highest counts of coliforms were observed during the wet season. The high counts are attributed to the discharge of human excreta and animal wastes during the rainy season from the different anthropogenic activities near the Gulf. Significant variations in most of the physicochemical parameters were also observed between sites and seasons. FC and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) in most sites did not meet the EPA standard for surface water. Corrective measures are highly recommended for anthropogenic activities driving high pollution loads in the lake.

Implementing FAIR data management practices in shellfish sanitation

In the United States (U.S.), state agencies in charge of mariculture regulation are mandated under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP) to monitor fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) concentrations, commonly of fecal coliforms, to determine the safety of coastal waters for supporting harvestable shellfish for human consumption. Many states have monitored bacteriological water quality for decades, creating impressive long-term records with the potential to advance foundational understanding of coastal systems and contribute to other complementary monitoring efforts. However, state shellfish sanitation programs differ in how they collect, manage, and share bacteriological monitoring data, resulting in their data typically being available in disparate state-level repositories with non-standardized database structures. Here, we outline three key recommendations as to how shellfish sanitation programs could implement practices to make their data more Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR), in turn creating new opportunities for the full potential of the data to be realized. We also offer sample materials of a standardized database, ShellBase, to provide an example of how diverse shellfish sanitation data may be integrated with a common data structure.

Evaluation of Drinking Water Quality and Bacterial Antibiotic Sensitivity in Wells and Standpipes at Household Water Points in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Water quality surveillance can help to reduce waterborne diseases. Despite better access to safe drinking water in Sierra Leone, about a third of the population (3 million people) drink water from unimproved sources. In this cross-sectional study, we collected water samples from 15 standpipes and 5 wells and measured the physicochemical and bacteriological water quality, and the antimicrobial sensitivity of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in two communities in Freetown, Sierra Leone in the dry and wet seasons in 2021. All water sources were contaminated with E. coli, and all five wells and 25% of standpipes had at least an intermediate risk level of E. coli. There was no antimicrobial resistance detected in the E. coli tested. The nitrate level exceeded the WHO’s recommended standard (>10 parts per million) in 60% of the wells and in less than 20% of the standpipes. The proportion of samples from standpipes with high levels of total dissolved solids (>10 Nephelometric Turbidity Units) was much higher in the rainy season (73% vs. 7%). The level of water contamination is concerning. We suggest options to reduce E. coli contamination. Further research is required to identify where contamination of the water in standpipes is occurring.

Acanthocephalan parasites reflect ecological status of freshwater ecosystem

Acanthocephalans' position in food webs, in close interaction with free-living species, could provide valuable information about freshwater ecosystem health through the viability of the parasites' host populations. We explored Pomphorhynchus laevis cystacanths' and adults' intensities of infection, and the prevalence of infected hosts respectively in their Gammarus pulex intermediate hosts and Squalius cephalus definitive hosts in a Mediterranean river. First, we analysed the relationship between P. laevis intensity of infection, its two hosts populations and the other acanthocephalan species found (Pomphorhynchus tereticollis and Polymorphus minutus). Second, we characterised the influence of bacteriological, physicochemical and biological water parameters on these acanthocephalans, and their intermediate and definitive hosts. This research highlights that P. laevis infection was closely related to their two preferential hosts population in the river. Moreover, P. laevis intensity of infection was positively correlated with organic pollution in the river but negatively correlated with biodiversity and with ecological indexes of quality. Pomphorhynchus laevis could thus benefit from moderate freshwater pollution, which promotes their tolerant intermediate and definitive hosts.

Antibiotics in shallow groundwater underlying urban informal settlements in developing countries: influence of on-site sanitation practices and risk assessment

ABSTRACT This study investigated the influence of on-site sanitation practices (OSS) on antibiotics in shallow groundwater underlying an informal settlement in Kampala City (Uganda) and the resulting antibiotic resistance risks. Ten antibiotics (including sulfonamides, fluoroquinolones, quinolones, penicillins and tetracyclines) were investigated in 17 groundwater sources in relation to physico-chemical and bacteriological water quality parameters. Seven antibiotics were detected, at a maximum total concentration of 1,400 ng/L during the dry season and 730 ng/L during the wet season. A significant positive correlation was observed between sulfathiazole and Escherichia coli (p < 0.001), supported by principal component analysis. Hierarchical cluster analysis showed grouping of antibiotics with parameters usually associated with OSS (E. coli, chlorides, nitrates, sodium and sulphates). Over 65% of the locations presented a high risk for antibiotic resistance during the dry season. This study showed that the population in informal settlements is exposed to a high risk of antibiotic resistance, influenced by OSS.

POLLUTION RISKS IN DRINKING WATER DISTRIBUTION NETWORK OF A HEALTHCARE FACILITY IN TIARET, ALGERIA

Water plays an important role in the healthcare field and can become the source of health problems due to microbial or chemical contamination. However, the quality of water used in hospitals has not been well studied in developing world. This study aimed to assess bacteriological and physicochemical drinking water quality at the hospital of Tiaret Town to get insight into any potential health risks due to waterborne diseases. To evaluate water quality of hospital, five sampling sites were determined and water quality parameters were selected for physico-chemical and bacteriological analysis. The analysis results were compared with maximum permissible limit values recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) and Algerian drinking water standards (JORA). The obtained results indicate that, the water temperatures ranged between 18.10 and 18.40 °C. The pH ranged between 7.93 and 7.99. The electrical conductivity (EC) with maximum value of 1149 ìS/cm. The HCO3 – content with a value of 146 mg/l at all sample points. The chloride (Cl–) values ranged from 114.30 to 115.10 mg/l and sulfate (SO4–2) values from 189.70 to 197.20 mg/l. The physico-chemical analysis indicated that parameters values of the water were far below drinking water standards. The microbiological results show that the microbial load of total germs and fecal coliforms is very important. The levels of total germs at 22 °C and 37 °C ranged between 2 CFU/100 ml to 128 CFU/100 ml and 40 CFU/100 ml to 134 CFU/100 ml respectively, while, the levels of total coliforms and fecal coliforms ranged between 13 CFU/100 ml to 146 CFU/100 ml and 00 CFU/100 ml to 371 CFU/100 ml respectively which indicates the contaminated than the hospital drinking water. The results show that the microbiological qualities of the water generally worsen from hospital taps.