scholarly journals Identification and management of microbial contaminations in a surface drinking water source

2007 ◽  
Vol 5 (S1) ◽  
pp. 67-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Åström ◽  
T. J. R. Pettersson ◽  
T. A. Stenström

Microbial contamination of surface waters constitutes a health risk for drinking water consumers which may be lowered by closing the raw water intake. We have evaluated microbial discharge events reported in the river Göta älv, which is used for raw water supply to the city of Göteborg. Elevated levels of faecal indicator bacteria were observed during periods of closed raw water intake. High bacteria levels were, however, also occasionally detected during periods of open intake, probably as a result of microbial discharge far upstream in the river which may be difficult to predict and manage by closing the intake. Accumulated upstream precipitations, resulting in surface runoff and wastewater contaminations in the catchment, correlated positively with the levels of total coliforms, E. coli, intestinal enterococci and sulfite-reducing clostridia. Levels of faecal indicator organisms were negatively correlated to the water temperature due to enhanced survival at lower temperatures. Wastewater discharges from a municipality located just upstream of the water intake resulted in elevated E. coli concentrations downstream at the raw water intake for Göteborg. To improve the prediction of microbial contaminations within the river Göta älv, monitoring data on turbidity and upstream precipitation are of particular importance.

2003 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 115-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beryl Zaitlin ◽  
Susan B. Watson ◽  
Jamieson Dixon ◽  
Deborah Steel

Abstract Actinomycetes can produce significant amounts of the earthy-muddy odour compounds geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol (MIB). These filamentous bacteria are found in both terrestrial and aquatic environments, and are particularly abundant in soil. They can enter freshwater systems via terrestrial runoff and subsequently cause taste and odour outbreaks in drinking water. Since it is well known that actinomycete growth and odour production is modified strongly by environmental factors such as moisture and nutrient levels, we hypothesized that watershed and stream characteristics should influence the potential odour impact of soil runoff on surface water. In this study, 1) the relationship between actinomycete abundance and characteristics such as stream discharge, turbidity and Escherichia coli levels was investigated, and 2) actinomycetes from contrasting terrestrial sources were examined for differences in their geosmin and MIB production. Actinomycetes and stream characteristics were sampled from the Elbow River, an important drinking water source for the City of Calgary (Alberta, Canada), and three tributary streams. Actinomycetes from forested regions and agricultural land were tested for taste and odour compound production. Actinomycete levels in streams were found to correlate closely with E. coli levels and to a lesser extent with turbidity, suggesting that actinomycetes are particularly abundant in runoff from terrestrial sources with fecal contamination. Most of the 18 actinomycete isolates tested were able to produce geosmin and/or MIB regardless of their terrestrial sources, suggesting that taste and odour outbreaks due to actinomycetes may be more influenced by differences in abundance than differences in source.


2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 1514-1518 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wen Fang Long ◽  
Spencer Lloyd ◽  
Fan Zhang ◽  
Qiao Li ◽  
HaiRong Huang ◽  
...  

The article aimed to find the causes of microbial contamination of drinking water source, by exploring the influencing factors of water on the incidence of diarrhea in children. Random stratified-cluster sampling was used to study Li and Han communities of rural Lingshui County with regard to water quality and environmental sanitation. Water samples were evaluated for microbial contamination using National Standard of the People's Republic of China and World Health Organization drinking water standards. Data were compared between ethnic groups. Li communities had more contamination than Han. The correlation between the frequency of diarrhea among children and the presence of microorganisms in the water was positive, for both total coliforms and Escherichia coli (E. coli). Regression analysis showed the substandard risk factors of total coliforms for source water were type of water supply (OR = 3.508) and garbage disposal methods (OR = 2.430). For E. coli, risk factors included the source of water supply (OR = 2.417); depth of wells (OR = 0.536) and distance of wells from the cesspit (OR = 0.723). The content of bacterium in drinking water source was high in the rural county. Water from open wells had higher contamination rates than water from centralized systems and tube-well sources. Improvement of water supply and environmental hygiene would decrease diarrheal diseases among children under five.


2007 ◽  
Vol 5 (S1) ◽  
pp. 81-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Åström ◽  
S. Petterson ◽  
O. Bergstedt ◽  
T. J. R. Pettersson ◽  
T. A. Stenström

Short-term peaks in pathogen concentrations may increase the risks for waterborne diseases considerably. In this study the occurrence of indicator organisms and pathogens in the river Göta älv at the raw water intake to Göteborg was evaluated and related to risk for drinking water consumption. About half of the 24 pathogen samples, taken during event and non-event conditions, were positive for at least one of the following: Cryptosporidium, Giardia, norovirus, enterovirus, Campylobacter and E. coli O157. Positive pathogen detects were often associated with heavy rainfalls and viruses with a sewage emergency discharge. The annualised probability of infection from this type of event was calculated from pathogen concentrations in a QMRA model. Given that the water intake is not closed, the risk given present water treatment seems to be acceptable for Giardia; however, it is at a borderline for Cryptosporidium and insufficient for noro- and enteroviruses. Present results emphasise the need for an appropriate intake regulation with respect to high pathogen loads, as the risk increases with time of exposure to pathogen contaminants. Rather than a threshold level on E. coli, reports on upstream microbial discharges are valuable for quick pathogen indications.


Author(s):  
Herniwanti, Herniwanti ◽  
Endang Purnawati Rahayu ◽  
Yen Purwawinata Mohan

Accessing the characteristics of Refill Drinking Water Depot (DAMIU) is the initial step in mapping the quality of water to be processed into drinking water. Therefore, this study aims to map the characteristics and bacteriology of DAMIU raw water at the Koto Kampar Hulu sub-district to prevent COVID-19. This was a study conducted using a qualitative approach with 7 raw water samples. The bacteriology of Raw Water (E. Coli and Coliform) is an indicator of the required standards in line with the minister of health regulation No.32 of 2017. Furthermore, the results showed that 85% of the DAMIU raw water originated from drilling and dug wells. The distance to water sources was mostly <20 km. Bacteriological tests for E. Coli were consistent with the quality standards while 4 DAMIU sources contain Coliform bacteria due to poor hygiene. Hence, it is recommended that the health department, responsible for consumer protection and law enforcement, provide guidance and supervision to DAMIU entrepreneurs that failed to meet the requirements. Further PAMSIMAS, PHBS, and STMB programs as well as other technological innovations are needed to provide a drinking water source that is healthy, cheap, and protected from disease during the COVID-19 period.


Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 527 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hadi Mohammed ◽  
Andreas Longva ◽  
Razak Seidu

This study applies hydrodynamic and water quality modeling to evaluate the potential effects of local climate projections on the mixing conditions in Lake Brusdalsvatnet in Norway and the implications on the occurrence of Escherichia coli (E. coli) at the raw water intake point of the Ålesund water treatment plant in the future. The study is mainly based on observed and projected temperature, the number of E. coli in the tributaries of the lake and projected flow. The results indicate a gradual rise in the temperature of water at the intake point from the base year 2017 to year 2075. In the future, vertical circulations in spring may occur earlier while autumn circulation may start later than currently observed in the lake. The number of E. coli at the intake point of the lake is expected to marginally increase in future. By the year 2075, the models predict an approximately three-fold increase in average E. coli numbers for the spring and autumn seasons compared to current levels. The results are expected to provide the water supply system managers of Ålesund with the information necessary for long-term planning and decisions in the protection of the drinking water source. The method used here can also be applied to similar drinking water sources in Norway for developing effective risk management strategies within their catchments.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Amie Siedlecki ◽  

For many communities, drinking water comes from surface water sources, or source water, such as rivers and creeks. Within the city of Grants Pass, Oregon, this is the case. The Rogue River, which spans 215 miles, beginning near Crater Lake and emptying into the ocean at Gold Beach, is Grants Pass’ drinking water source. While the capacity of the Rogue River, in relation to drinking water, is rarely an issue for the City of Grants Pass’ Public Works Department, the potential contaminant sources (PCS) from the urban, commercial, and industrial geographical areas of Grants Pass is a concern. In order to deploy treatment processes that are capable of targeting these PCS, it is important to have an idea of where and how these PCS are reaching the storm drains, creeks, and eventually the Rogue River. The purpose of this study was to identify area-specific risk components and how those components spatially aligned with PCS and their locations. Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis and a risk matrix were used to rank the PCS according to risk in relation to Grants Pass’ source water intake. PCS ranked as high priority, or exuding the highest risk to drinking water quality, were followed up with onthe- ground surveys. After surveying the high priority PCS, best management practices (BMP) recommendations were made to the City of Grants Pass to better protect the drinking water quality. Branching off of this initial project work came similar studies in many other Rogue Basin communities. With this continued work, improvements were made to streamline the processes, such as recording survey observations. Overall, this project work has led to many discoveries regarding threats to drinking water quality and how to best respond to certain types of threats.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 127
Author(s):  
Rosmiaty Rosmiaty ◽  
Andy Mizwar ◽  
Rizmi Yunita ◽  
Erma Agusliani

Determining category of physical appropriateness of DWS under health office development and controlling program of Hulu Sungai Utara Regency, Determining Microbiology quality of  DWA under health office development and controlling program of Hulu Sungai Utara Regency, analyzing the correlation of physical appropriateness and microbiology quality if DWS under health office development and controlling program of Hulu Sungai Utara Regency. This is a quantitative study using cross-sectional research design in which the research was conducted in a certain period of time, the location of research was in 10 service area of the public health center in 9 subdistricts under health office development and controlling program of Hulu Sungai Utara Regency. It was found that 30 DWS (Drinking Water Storehouse) is under health office development and controlling program of Hulu Sungai Utara Regency, DWS which categorized as physically not Appropriate (TLF) was 20 DWS (66,7%) and categorized as physically appropriate (LF) was 10 DWS (33,3%). Microbiology quality of Balangan, Tabalong, Negara, Tangkawang and Rantau Bujur Darat River were excess the standard of quality of class I intended for the drinking water source. Microbiology quality of water source (PDAM) from 30 samples, it was found that 14 samples (46,7%) contained Coliform and E. coli, there were 2 samples (6,7%) contained only Coliform. Quality of microbiology and water product of  30 DWS, it was found that 2 DWS contained Coliform, all water of DWS production did not contain  E.coli. Statistical test of the correlation of physical appropriateness and microbiology quality of river water cannot be conducted because all samples have the same category which is TMS so that there was no difference in result data of category determination. There was no significant difference between physical appropriateness with microbiology quality of Coliform (p=0,260) and E.coli (p = 0,235) raw water of DWS. There was no significant correlation of physical appropriateness with microbiology quality of Coliform (p = 0,540) water product of DWS, meanwhile for statistical test for correlation of physical appropriateness and microbiology quality of E.coli of water product cannot be conducted because there was no difference in result data of category determination so that all samples has the same category.


Author(s):  
Hayley E. Schram ◽  
Peter J. Wampler

Water resources, especially safe, potable water, are limited for many Haitians. &nbsp;In areas where shallow groundwater is available, many household water needs such as laundry, bathing, and cooking are supplied by hand-dug wells. In order to better understand the water quality and prevalence of these household wells, 35 hand-dug wells were surveyed and sampled near the H&ocirc;pital Albert Schweitzer (HAS) in Deschapelles, Haiti. Water samples were collected and tested for fecal coliform and E. coli using the IDEXX Colilert-18 method. Of the samples collected, 89 percent were determined unsafe to use as a drinking water source based on the World Health Organization standard of 1.0 colony-forming unit (cfu) Escherichia Coli (E. coli) per 100 mL. 66 percent of the wells exceeded recreational/body contact standards for the state of Michigan (130 cfu/100 mL). Some of these wells were deemed suitable for conversion to a new well type called In-Situ Filtration (ISF) wells. ISF wells are installed with an internal sand filter pack, PVC casing, pump, and cap which seals the well from surface contamination and provides additional water treatment as water is pumped. Previous ISF installations have reduced E. coli to safe drinking water levels within 90 days.


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