Total Coliform Concentrations Research Articles

Fecal Indicator Bacteria Entrainment from Streambed to Water Column: Transport by Unsteady Flow over a Sand Bed

Storms cause a substantial increase in the fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) concentrations in stream water as a result of FIB-laden runoff and the release of FIB from stream sediments. Previous work has emphasized the association between FIB and bed sediments finer than sand. The objectives of this work were to elucidate the effect of various velocities on the entrainment of bed-dwelling coliforms in sand-bed streams and to refine methodologies for quantifying sandy streambeds as sources of FIB. Pump-induced hydrographs were created using a stainless steel nonrecirculating flume. Experiments consisted of simulating four storm hydrographs and collecting water samples upstream and downstream of a sand bed at selected intervals. Bed sediment samples were collected before and after each event. The highest concentrations of total coliform and suspended sediments generally occurred in the downstream samples during the rising limb of the hydrographs as a result of entrainment of coliforms and sand from the bed to the water column. There was a first flush effect in the system, as the upper layer of sand was influenced by a rapidly increasing velocity at ∼0.2 m s. Coliforms downstream of the sand bed increased rapidly as velocity exceeded this threshold but then declined even as velocity and discharge continued to increase. This likely reflects the depletion of coliforms as the more densely populated sediment layer was flushed out. There is evidence that streams with sand beds harbor enough FIB that development of total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) should include consideration of them as a source.

Inter-Event and Intra-Event Variations of Indicator Bacteria Concentrations in the Storm Sewer System of the City of Östersund, Sweden

AbstractAn episode of microbiological contamination of the drinking water supply of the City of Ostersund, Sweden (63°10′45″N; 14°38′09″E) prompted a study of fecal pollution in four storm drainage catchments discharging in the vicinity of the water treatment plant intake, with the overall aim of determining the presence and variation of standard fecal indicator bacteria strains and total suspended solids (TSS) in stormwater from urban catchments with specific land uses and sizes varying from 5 to 40 ha. Four bacteria strains used as indicators of fecal pollution in Sweden were studied: total coliforms, enterococci, Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens). In dry weather, indicator bacteria concentrations in storm sewers conveying baseflow did not exceed 100 colony forming units (CFU)/100 mL, but during wet weather, total coliform and enterococci concentrations increased 102 to 103 times, compared to those in baseflow, and considerably less in the case of E. coli and C. p...

Seasonality of water quality and diarrheal disease counts in urban and rural settings in south India.

The study examined relationships among meteorological parameters, water quality and diarrheal disease counts in two urban and three rural sites in Tamil Nadu, India. Disease surveillance was conducted between August 2010 and March 2012; concurrently water samples from street-level taps in piped distribution systems and from household storage containers were tested for pH, nitrate, total dissolved solids, and total and fecal coliforms. Methodological advances in data collection (concurrent prospective disease surveillance and environmental monitoring) and analysis (preserving temporality within the data through time series analysis) were used to quantify independent effects of meteorological conditions and water quality on diarrheal risk. The utility of a local calendar in communicating seasonality is also presented. Piped distribution systems in the study area showed high seasonal fluctuations in water quality. Higher ambient temperature decreased and higher rainfall increased diarrheal risk with temperature being the predominant factor in urban and rainfall in rural sites. Associations with microbial contamination were inconsistent; however, disease risk in the urban sites increased with higher median household total coliform concentrations. Understanding seasonal patterns in health outcomes and their temporal links to environmental exposures may lead to improvements in prospective environmental and disease surveillance tailored to addressing public health problems.

Removal of Fecal Indicators, Pathogenic Bacteria, Adenovirus, Cryptosporidium and Giardia (oo)cysts in Waste Stabilization Ponds in Northern and Eastern Australia.

Maturation ponds are used in rural and regional areas in Australia to remove the microbial loads of sewage wastewater, however, they have not been studied intensively until present. Using a combination of culture-based methods and quantitative real-time PCR, we assessed microbial removal rates in maturation ponds at four waste stabilization ponds (WSP) with (n = 1) and without (n = 3) baffles in rural and remote communities in Australia. Concentrations of total coliforms, E. coli, enterococci, Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp., F+ RNA coliphage, adenovirus, Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia (oo) cysts in maturation ponds were measured at the inlet and outlet. Only the baffled pond demonstrated a significant removal of most of the pathogens tested and therefore was subjected to further study by analyzing E. coli and enterococci concentrations at six points along the baffles over five sampling rounds. Using culture-based methods, we found a decrease in the number of E. coli and enterococci from the initial values of 100,000 CFU per 100 mL in the inlet samples to approximately 1000 CFU per 100 mL in the outlet samples for both bacterial groups. Giardia cysts removal was relatively higher than fecal indicators reduction possibly due to sedimentation.

Avaliação Bacteriológica da Água Associada ao Cultivo de Mexilhões Perna Perna da Praia Rasa, Armação dos Búzios (RJ)

Aquaculture is the farming of organisms with life cycles that occur fully or partially on aquatic systems. The aim of this study was to monitor the concentrations of total and thermo-tolerant coliforms in water near mussels cultivation in Rasa Beach, Armacao dos Buzios (RJ). Sampling was performed between February 2014 and March 2015. There are statistically significant differences in thermo-tolerant coliform concentrations between the interior of the marina channel and the cultivation external point. Data suggest that the wastewater discharge channel contributes effectively to the contamination of the cultivation area with thermo-tolerant coliform.

Irrigation waters and pipe-based biofilms as sources for antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

The presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in environmental surface waters has gained recent attention. Wastewater and drinking water distribution systems are known to disseminate antibiotic-resistant bacteria, with the biofilms that form on the inner-surfaces of the pipeline as a hot spot for proliferation and gene exchange. Pipe-based irrigation systems that utilize surface waters may contribute to the dissemination of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in a similar manner. We conducted irrigation events at a perennial stream on a weekly basis for 1 month, and the concentrations of total heterotrophic bacteria, total coliforms, and fecal coliforms, as well as the concentrations of these bacterial groups that were resistant to ampicillin and tetracycline, were monitored at the intake water. Prior to each of the latter three events, residual pipe water was sampled and 6-in. sections of pipeline (coupons) were detached from the system, and biofilm from the inner-wall was removed and analyzed for total protein content and the above bacteria. Isolates of biofilm-associated bacteria were screened for resistance to a panel of seven antibiotics, representing five antibiotic classes. All of the monitored bacteria grew substantially in the residual water between irrigation events, and the biomass of the biofilm steadily increased from week to week. The percentages of biofilm-associated isolates that were resistant to antibiotics on the panel sometimes increased between events. Multiple-drug resistance was observed for all bacterial groups, most often for fecal coliforms, and the distributions of the numbers of antibiotics that the total coliforms and fecal coliforms were resistant to were subject to change from week to week. Results from this study highlight irrigation waters as a potential source for antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which can subsequently become incorporated into and proliferate within irrigation pipe-based biofilms.

Modeling of Domestic Wastewater Treatment Facultative Stabilization Ponds

The processes of Biological treatment intend to reduce the organic matter content by using microorganisms. Problems, which often occur in the treatment process, include the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) being planned for treating domestic wastewater only, but in fact the WWTP often receives non-domestic wastewater particularly direct or indirect faecal deposits. There are 13 simultaneous systems of nonlinear differential equations using the method of Runge-Kutta-Fehlberg (RKF45). Data validation is measured in a facultative stabilization pond at a distance of 0 m, 25 m, 50 m and 75 m respectively. Samples are taken at the inlet and outlet of the pond covering the concentration of Bacteria (B), Algae (A), Zooplankton (Z), Organic Matter (OM), Detritus (D), Organic Nitrogen (ON), Ammonia (NH3), Organic Phosphorus (OP), Soluble Phosphorus (SP), Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Total Coliform (TC), Faecal Coliform (FC), and Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD). The research comparing observation and count data results in 11 kinds of concentration that have a relative error 20%, namely Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and Faecal Coliform.(FC). Wastewater quality is predicted with 45 o angle charts and tolerance ± 20%, respectively for BOD (76.8%), COD (57.7%) and DO (81.9%). The model, as a means for performance evaluation of the WWTP, is appropriate for Class II water quality standards.

Longitudinal Trends and Associations between Compost Bedding Characteristics and Bedding Bacterial Concentrations

The objectives were to quantify bedding concentrations of total bacteria and selected groups of mastitis pathogens (coliforms and streptococci), to identify bedding factors associated with these bacterial populations, and to describe longitudinal variation of bedding characteristics. Bedding samples from the superficial and deep (20 cm) layers were collected biweekly during 1 year from 3 compost bedded pack (CBP) dairies. Bedding bacterial concentrations and physical-chemical characteristics (moisture, organic matter, carbon-nitrogen ratio (C/N), pH, and density) were determined. Mixed models were used to identify predictors for bacterial concentrations. Shewhart control charts were produced to describe longitudinal variation of bedding characteristics and define alerts of out-of-control variation. Bedding temperature was greater in the deep layer than on the surface (difference = 27.0, 12.1, and 14.4 °C for farms A, B and C, respectively). Except for farm B, bacterial concentrations were greater on the surface than in the deep layer. Organic matter and dry density were associated with concentration of total bacteria and coliforms. For all farms, C/N (positive association) and dry density (negative association) were associated with bedding concentration of streptococci. Deep temperature and moisture remained within the control limits defined in farm A and B during most of the period, whereas 7 and 9 alerts for temperature and moisture were observed on farm C, respectively. For all farms, organic matter, C/N, and pH exhibited great variation, resulting in several out-of-control alerts. Results of this study can be used to manage the CBP towards reducing cows’ exposure to mastitis pathogens.

Factors associated with mastitis epidemiologic indexes, animal hygiene, and bulk milk bacterial concentrations in dairy herds housed on compost bedding

The primary objective of this study was to identify compost bedding characteristics associated with mastitis epidemiologic indexes, cow cleanliness, and concentration of selected bacterial populations found in bulk tank milk. Secondary objectives were to monitor the occurrence of environmental mastitis outbreaks, and to describe the profile of pathogens isolated from mastitis cases of cows housed in the CBP system. Three dairies were visited monthly during 1 year. On each visit day, milk samples were collected from the bulk tank and from a sample of mammary quarters for microbiological examination. Milk samples were collected from all cases of clinical mastitis. Flank, leg, udder, and teat cleanliness were assessed using a score chart based on a 4-point scale (1=clean to 4=very dirty). Bedding samples were collected to estimate concentrations of total bacteria, streptococci, and coliforms, moisture, organic matter, carbon–nitrogen ratio, pH, and density. Mixed models were used to identify factors associated with incidence and prevalence of mastitis, and cow cleanliness. Except for farm A, on which contagious pathogens caused most cases, Escherichia coli, coagulase-negative staphylococci, and environmental streptococci were the most frequent pathogens isolated from clinical mastitis cases. Corynebacterium bovis was the most frequent pathogen isolated from subclinical cases of farms B (17.6) and C (26.0%). Environmental pathogens were isolated from 17.2%, 10.1%, and 14.8% of all subclinical cases of farms, A, B, and C, respectively. No outbreaks of environmental mastitis were observed during the course of the study. Bedding moisture, carbon–nitrogen ratio, pH, and dry density were unconditionally associated with the incidence of environmental clinical mastitis. Nonetheless, bedding moisture remained as a sole predictor in the final model. The odds of a case of environmental clinical mastitis increased 5.7% for each one-unit increase in bedding moisture. The odds of a new case of subclinical mastitis, and of a cow having SCC ≥200,000cells/mL increased 32% and 16% for each one-unit increase in leg cleanliness score, respectively. Overall means for udder, teat, flank, and leg hygiene scores were less than 2.1 for all farms and did not vary among seasons of the year. Bedding wet density was positively associated with all cleanliness scores and bulk milk concentration of total bacteria. Results suggest that managing bedding to remain dry and loose will result in cleaner animals with decreased risk of mastitis.

Detection of Cryptosporidium, Giardia, fecal Indicator bacteria, and total bacteria in commercial jar water in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

Introduction: Jar water is a convenient and common source of drinking water in the Kathmandu Valley. However, studies including detailed microbial analyses of this source of potable water are lacking. In this study, jar water samples were examined for the occurrence of Cryptosporidium, Giardia, fecal indicator bacteria, and total bacteria. Methods: Thirty different brands of jars were collected in September 2014. Escherichia coli and total coliforms were determined using a Colilert reagent. Ten of the 30 brands were selected to test for Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and total bacteria. Bacterial DNA extraction from water samples was performed using the Cica Geneus DNA Extraction Kit, followed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) targeting the 16S rRNA gene of bacterial DNA. Protozoan detection was accomplished by concentrating the samples using the electronegative membrane vortex method. followed by immunomagnetic separation and fluorescent staining. Results: E. coli was detected in 10% of the samples, with a maximum concentration of 2 most probable number (MPN)/100 ml., whereas total coliforms were detected in 97% of the samples, with a maximum and mean concentration of 7.3 x 102 and 3.8 x 10 MPN/100 ml., respectively. Total coliforms concentrations in 40% of the samples ranged from 10 to 10 MPN/100 ml. Cryptosporidium and Giardia were not detected in any of the tested samples. Concentrations of total bacteria in the samples ranged from 10 to 10 cells/100 ml. Conclusions: Ninety-seven percent of the jar water brands were unsuitable for drinking without proper treatment based on the guideline values of the National Drinking Water Quality Standards (NDWQS) of Nepal. There is no guideline value for total bacteria in NDWQS however, high concentrations can be indicative of poor control on regrowth of bacteria and recontamination or inefficient water treatment methods.

Groundwater Contamination Due to Activities of an Intensive Hog Farming Operation Located on a Geologic Fault in East Mediterranean: A Study on COD, BOD₅ and Microbial Load.

The application of treated animal wastewater produced in intensive fog farming operations (IHFOs) on surface soil, leads to groundwater contamination. In this study, the contamination of a Mediterranean aquifer caused by long-term application of treated wastewater, produced by an IHFO, on a plot with a geologic fault within the IHFO boundaries, was investigated. Groundwater samples were taken from monitoring wells close to the IHFO. A significant increase of chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), total viable count (TVC) and total coliform (TC) concentrations was found in wells, compared to control monitoring well, which were mainly affected by the subsurface flow of contaminated water, due to the presence of the geologic fault. During the winter, significant increases in concentrations of COD, BOD5, TVC and TC were noted and attributed to increased precipitation, which assisted in the accelerated transport of organic compounds and microbial load, through geologic fault, to groundwater.

Microbiological and Chemical Quality of Packaged Sachet Water and Household Stored Drinking Water in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Packaged drinking water (PW) sold in bottles and plastic bags/sachets is widely consumed in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), and many urban users in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) rely on packaged sachet water (PSW) as their primary source of water for consumption. However, few rigorous studies have investigated PSW quality in SSA, and none have compared PSW to stored household water for consumption (HWC). A clearer understanding of PSW quality in the context of alternative sources is needed to inform policy and regulation. As elsewhere in SSA, PSW is widely consumed in Sierra Leone, but government oversight is nearly nonexistent. This study examined the microbiological and chemical quality of a representative sample of PSW products in Freetown, Sierra Leone at packaged water manufacturing facilities (PWMFs) and at points of sale (POSs). Samples of HWC were also analyzed for comparison. The study did not find evidence of serious chemical contamination among the parameters studied. However, 19% of 45 PSW products sampled at the PWMF contained detectable Escherichia coli (EC), although only two samples exceeded 10 CFU/100 mL. Concentrations of total coliforms (TC) in PSW (but not EC) increased along the supply chain. Samples of HWC from 60 households in Freetown were significantly more likely to contain EC and TC than PSW at the point of production (p<0.01), and had significantly higher concentrations of both bacterial indicators (p<0.01). These results highlight the need for additional PSW regulation and surveillance, while demonstrating the need to prioritize the safety of HWC. At present, PSW may be the least unsafe option for many households.

English

Water quality is a critical factor affecting human health and welfare. This study aimed at examining the physico-chemical and bacteriological quality of drinking water in Adama town. A total of 107 triplicate water samples were examined; 1 from inlet point (raw water), 1 from outlet (the water after treatment, 1 from reservoir (treated water stored), 52 from pipe water and 52 from systematically selected household’s containers. Six physico-chemical parameters namely temperature, turbidity, pH, free chlorine residual (FCR), nitrate, fluoride and three bacteriological parameters: total coliform (TC), fecal coliform (FC) and fecal streptococci (FS) were analyzed. Temperature was average of 23.30, 21.23 and 22.57°C at the inlet, outlet and reservoir sampling points, respectively, which were above WHO and national standard limits of <15°C. Concerning FCR, at the outlet, FCR was 0.78 mg/l which was in the WHO recommended limit of 0.6-1 mg/L and at reservoir sampling point, the FCR was 0.35 mg/l which was in the WHO and national standard limit of 0.2-0.5 mg/L. The average concentration of TC, FC and FS at the inlet point was 196, 142 and 117 cfu/100 ml, respectively. On the other hand, at the outlet and reservoir sampling points, no indicator bacteria were found. In all pipe water samples, pH values were within the recommended limit (6.5-8). In the pipeline, 82.7 and 92.3% of sampling sites were found acceptable based on WHO and National standard for FC and FS counts, respectively. In household water container, 55.8 and 71.1% were in the acceptable limit of WHO and National standard for FC and FS, respectively. Pearson correlation analysis indicates that a significant positive correlation between TC/temperature (r = 0.809063) and a significant negative correlation exist between TC and FCR (r = -0.689336) in tap water samples. Using Pearson’s correlation coefficient, TC was found to be positively and significantly related to FC (r = 0.836887) and FS (r = 0.674766), FC was found to be positively and significantly correlated to FS (r = 0.84345) in household water. Key words: Physico-chemical parameter, bacteriological quality, pipe water, household water, total coliform (TC), fecal coliform (FC), fecal streptococci (FS).

Mechanisms of Phosphorus Removal in a Pilot-Scale Constructed Wetland/BOF Slag Wastewater Treatment System

Abstract Removal of PO4-P, NH3-N, cBOD5, chemical oxygen demand (COD), Escherichia coli, and total coliforms in a pilot-scale hybrid constructed wetland (CW) wastewater treatment system was evaluated. Wastewater was sequentially passed through a mixing cell, an aerobic treatment cell, a P treatment cell that contained basic oxygen furnace slag (BOFS), and an anaerobic treatment cell. The system operated for 8 months at an average flow rate of 68 L/day. Mean influent concentrations of PO4-P, NH3-N, cBOD5, and COD were 7, 25, 27, and 60 mg/L, respectively, and mean influent levels of E. coli and total coliforms were 104 and 105 CFU 100 mL−1. Effluent from the system had 95–99% lower concentrations of PO4-P, NH3-N, cBOD5, E. coli, and total coliforms, and a 72% lower concentration of COD, compared to influent values. Backscatter scanning electron imaging coupled with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectra and elemental maps, along with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, showed that P was present on th...

OCORRÊNCIA DE COLIFORMES TOTAIS E TERMOTOLERANTES EM PASTEIS FRITOS VENDIDOS EM BARES NO CENTRO DE CURITIBA-PR

Food sold in bars, which sometimes do not have adequate sanitary conditions for producing, handling and selling them, end up being contaminated by microorganisms that may be harmful to health, causing infections and food poisoning. The main objective of the study is to identify the presence of total and fecal coliforms in fried pastels sold in bars in downtown Curitiba-PR, Brazil. The study had quantitative approach and included 20 randomly chosen establishments. Microbiological analyzes were performed using the Petrifilm method for counting colony-forming units and identification of microorganisms. There were total coliforms in 17 samples, and the sample with the highest contamination presented 41 colony-forming units. None of the 20 samples showed fecal coliform, which makes ground-beef pastels in accordance with the standards established by Resolution RDC 12 / 2001. Based on the results, the high concentration of total coliforms suggests greater caution in good manufacturing practices and handling to avoid spoilage and disease spread by food. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.12957/demetra.2015.14142

Analysis of treated wastewater and feasibility for reuse in irrigation: a case study from Chlef, Algeria

A quantitative and qualitative analysis was performed on treated wastewater to see if it can be used for irrigation, using as a case study the effluent from a wastewater treatment plant in Chlef, Algeria. The results showed that the average removal efficiencies of suspended solids (TSS), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) were 88, 94, and 98%, respectively. The average effluent concentrations ranged from 3 to 29 mg/L for TSS, 30 to 57 mg/L for COD, and 3 to 8.9 mg/L for BOD5. All were within the World Health Organization standards. Furthermore, the total coliform concentration of the treated wastewater was also within the national and international standards. There was an absence of toxic micro-pollutants such as heavy metals, which suggests that treated water can be used as an alternative water resource for irrigation. The reuse of treated wastewater is both a political and socioeconomic challenge. However, this route may help to alleviate water shortages by better conserving natural resources and also contributing to the development of integrated water management systems.

Microbial Pathogens in Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP) in Hamburg

Microbial pathogens are among the major health problems associated with water and wastewater. Classical indicators of fecal contamination include total coliforms, Escherichia coli, and Clostridium perfringens. These fecal indicators were monitored in order to obtain information regarding their evolution during wastewater treatment processes. Helminth eggs survive for a long duration in the environment and have a high potential for waterborne transmission, making them reliable contaminant indicators. A large quantity of helminth eggs was detected in the wastewater samples using the Bailanger method. Eggs were found in the influent and effluent with average concentration ranging from 11 to 50 eggs/L. Both E. coli and total coliforms concentrations were significantly 1- to 3-fold higher in influent than in effluent. The average concentrations of E. coli ranged from 2.5 × 103 to 4.4 × 105 colony-forming units (CFU)/100 ml. Concentrations of total coliforms ranged from 3.6 × 103 to 7.9 × 105 CFU/100 ml. Clostridium perfringens was also detected in influent and effluent of wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) at average concentrations ranging from 5.4 × 102 to 9.1 × 102 most probable number (MPN)/100 ml. Significant Spearman rank correlations were found between helminth eggs and microbial indicators (total coliform, E. coli, and C. perfringens) in the WWTP. There is therefore need for additional microbial pathogen monitoring in the WWTP to minimize public health risk.

Variability in the Concentration of Indicator Bacteria in Landfill Leachate – A Comparative Study

Leachate collected from the collection ponds of four landfill sites was investigated and compared for total coliforms and E. coli concentration as representatives of fecal pollution. Concentration of total coliforms and E. coli was comparable for leachate obtained from Kulim Landfill Site (KLS) and Ampang Landfill Site (ALS) with little variations. However, the level of indicator bacteria was significantly lower for Kuala Sepetang Landfill Site (KSLS), whereas Pulau Burung Landfill Site (PBLS) had the lowest concentration for both total coliforms and E. coli. Considering the landfills are currently operational, with the exception of ALS, the presence of indicator bacteria implies their inactivation prior to discharge. High concentration of indicator bacteria in ALS is attributed to the run-off entering the leachate pond. Greater concentration of ammonia and salinity level were partly responsible for lower concentration of indicator bacteria in leachate from KSLS and PBLS, indicating that salinty and ammonia could significantly affect the survival of indicator bacteria.

Surface water quality in the Sinos River basin, in Southern Brazil: tracking microbiological contamination and correlation with physicochemical parameters

Around the world, enteric viruses are often found in surface waters. This study set out to evaluate the occurrence of adenoviruses (AdVs) in water samples, and its relation to different physical, chemical, and bacteriological parameters [total coliform (TC) and fecal coliform (FC), represented by Escherichia coli]. Monthly samples of 500ml of raw water were collected from May 2011 to June 2013 in eight abstraction points water treatment stations along three stretches of the Sinos River Basin (SRB), in Southern Brazil and, subsequently, were analyzed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). AdVs from different species, from human (HAdV), and from other animals (CAV1-2, BAdV, PAdV, and AvAdV) were detected along the three stretches of the basin, indicating fecal contamination from different sources and proving the inefficiency of the wastewater treatment in the waters of the SRB and intensifying the strong influence of human activities that can contribute to the presence of inhibitory substances such as organic acids in surface of these waters. Statistical analyses revealed no significant correlations between the concentrations of TC and FC and the concentrations of AdVs. We observed a small, nonconstant, and unstable correlation between viruses and physicochemical parameters. These correlations were not sufficiently consistent to establish a reliable association; therefore, this study corroborates that only the viral assay itself is reliable for the diagnosis of fecal contamination by viruses in environmental samples.

Qualidade das águas de nascentes na bacia hidrográfica do rio Paraguaçu, Cruz das Almas, Bahia

This study aimed to determine the physical, chemical and bacteriological water of twenty-two springs, belonging to the Paraguassu River Basin and located near the Federal University of Reconcavo of Bahia, Cruz das Almas, Bahia. To this end they were detections of concentrations of total coliforms, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus and mesophilic and varieties of color and turbidity values. The waters investigated were highly polluted with high concentrations of total coliforms (> 2,000 NMP/100mL), Escherichia coli (> 2,000 NMP/100mL), Enterococcus (> 2,000 NMP/100mL) and mesophilic (106 to 109 CFU / mL) and unsafe for human consumption, considering national and international laws. The values of color and turbidity were also exacerbated and above the maximum permissible values. The results will serve as a basis for planning the use of these waters, such as recreation, fishing and restocking with ornamental fish, as well as mitigation measures degradation problems, so as to make the whole water system sustainable ecological heritage that ended in typically rural