Exploring private water wells for fecal sources and evidence of pathogen presence in the context of current testing practices for potability in Ontario

Abstract Private water wells provide drinking water for an estimated 4.1 million households in Canada yet remain understudied in the context of microbial water quality or human health impacts. As there exists little systematic surveillance for enteric infections or outbreaks related to well water sources, consumers may be at risk of waterborne infectious diseases. A standard protocol in Ontario requires 200 mL of water, collected, and submitted by well owners, half of which is used to analyze for Escherichia coli and total coliforms (TCs). The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of testing small water volumes and to survey for other contaminants in addition to bacterial indicators to inform pathogen prevalence and fecal source in drinking water wells. Samples were assessed for E. coli and TCs, by culture, and genetic markers of Bacteroides spp., Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp., and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, using qPCR. The source of fecal contamination varied by the geographic region and may be explained by septic tank density and underlying geology, among other factors. A small number of samples (1.9%) showed the evidence of contamination with enteric pathogens. Lastly, E. coli measured by qPCR, as opposed to culture, correlated more strongly to Bacteroides markers.

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Exploration of E. coli contamination drivers in private drinking water wells: An application of machine learning to a large, multivariable, geo-spatio-temporal dataset

Water Research ◽

10.1016/j.watres.2021.117089 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 197 ◽

pp. 117089

Author(s):

Katie White ◽

Sarah Dickson-Anderson ◽

Anna Majury ◽

Kevin McDermott ◽

Paul Hynds ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Machine Learning ◽

Drinking Water ◽

E Coli ◽

Water Wells ◽

Spatio Temporal

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Drinking water quality and antibiotic resistance of E. coli and Salmonella spp. from different sources in Gweru urban, Zimbabwe

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment ◽

10.1007/s10661-021-09322-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 193 (8) ◽

Author(s):

Desmond Tichaona Mugadza ◽

Sibusisiwe Isabel Nduku ◽

Edlyn Gweme ◽

Sherpherd Manhokwe ◽

Patience Marume ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Drinking Water ◽

Antibiotic Resistance ◽

Drinking Water Quality ◽

Salmonella Spp ◽

E Coli ◽

Different Sources

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Sanitary Status and Occurrence of Some Water-Borne Pathogens in Well and Surface Waters of Panhauya Community and Ahmadu Bello University Farm, Zaria

UMYU Journal of Microbiology Research (UJMR) ◽

10.47430/ujmr.2052.019 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 138-147

Author(s):

S. L. Afegbua ◽

Keyword(s):

Drinking Water ◽

Surface Waters ◽

Water Samples ◽

Universal Access ◽

Microbiological Quality ◽

Health Concern ◽

Salmonella Spp ◽

Open Defecation ◽

E Coli ◽

Water Borne

The Sustainable Development Goal on sanitation aims to achieve universal access to good health, affordable drinking water, sanitation and an end to open defeacation by 2030. The recent ranking of Nigeria as first globally for open defecation is of public and environmental health concern. This study assessed the sanitary condition and the microbiological quality of well and surface waters of Panhauya community and Ahmadu Bello University farm, Zaria, and the antibiogram of the bacterial isolates.. Based on the WHO criteria, the sanitary inspection showed that 16.7%, 54.2%, 25% and 4.2% of the water sampling points had a very high, high, intermediate and low risk of contamination respectively. Occurrence of Escherichia coli, Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella spp and Vibrio cholerae in water samples from Panhuaya community was 87.5%, 75%, 68.8%, 50%, 25% and 12.5% respectively. In ABU farm Shika, the occurrence was; E. coli (75%), E. histolytica (63%), G. lamblia and Salmonella spp. All E. coli isolates exhibited high multidrug resistance to antibiotics screened with a MAR index of 0.3-0.8. The drinking water sources in Panhuaya and ABU farm were unsafe and the presence of these pathogens in the water samples may be attributed to a number of factors including poor sanitation, manure application and open defecation practice. This indicates a public health risk to the residents and emphasises the need for safe water supplies sanitation and antibiotic stewardship. Keywords: Well water; surface water; sanitary inspection; open defecation; water-borne pathogens; Zaria.

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Sanitation Practices and Microbial Quality of Drinking Water in Open Defaecation Free and Open Defaecation Communities in the Savelugu Municipality

Ghana Journal of Science ◽

10.4314/gjs.v61i2.1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 61 (2) ◽

pp. 1-12

Author(s):

N. Bakobie ◽

A. R. Ibrahim ◽

A. B. Duwiejuah

Keyword(s):

Drinking Water ◽

Microbial Quality ◽

Salmonella Spp ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

E Coli ◽

Household Water ◽

Shigella Spp ◽

Pit Latrine

Open defaecation leads to faecal matter contamination of drinking water which can cause water borne diseases. The study assessed the linkage between sanitation practices and microbial quality of drinking water of open defaecation free and open defaecation communities in the Savelugu Municipality. A cross-sectional survey of 170 households was conducted in five open defaecation free and five open defaecation communities in the Savelugu Municipality. A total of 78 samples were collected from water sources and households and analysed for Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp and Shigella spp. Sanitation facilities used by the residents included pit latrine (88.24%), no latrine (11.17%), and flush (0.59%). The study observed improper disposal of children faeces in the communities. E. coli count ranged from 0 to 15 CFU/100 ml in open defaecation free communities and 0 to 32 CFU/100 ml in open defaecation communities. The microbial load in the drinking water from open defaecation communities was higher than open defaecation free communities. Open defaecation practice leads to contamination of household water probably due to unsanitary. Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) should be encouraged in open defaecation communities.

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DETECTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF MICROBES CAUSING STUNTED GROWTH IN COMMERCIAL BROILERS

Bangladesh Journal of Veterinary Medicine ◽

10.3329/bjvm.v10i1-2.15643 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 10 (1-2) ◽

pp. 27-32

Author(s):

M. M. Shah ◽

M. M. Rahman ◽

M. R. Akter ◽

R. A. Romey

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Drinking Water ◽

Biochemical Properties ◽

Poultry Feed ◽

Poultry Farm ◽

Salmonella Spp ◽

Stunted Growth ◽

E Coli ◽

Agar Media ◽

Staining Techniques

The study was conducted to isolate and characterize the microbes causing stunted growth in commercial broilers from Vai-Vai Poultry Farm (Kornai, Katapara, Dinajpur), Israfil Poultry Farm (Basherhat, Dinajpur), Guljar Poultry Farm (North Sibrampur, Dinajpur) and Maa Poultry Farm (Nayanpur, Dinajpur), during the period from January 2011 to July 2011. A total of 158 samples comprising dead birds, sick birds, litter, droppings, poultry feed and drinking water were collected among them 56 (n= 56) positive samples were isolated for this study from commercial broilers and subjected to primary isolation by propagating in nutrient broth followed by culture on selective media Brilliant Green Agar, Salmonella-Shigella Agar, Eosin Methylene Blue Agar and Sabourauds Dextrose Agar media. Gram's staining techniques were performed. Biochemical properties of the isolates were studied and reaction in TSI agar slant was also observed. Among the 56 positive isolates 9 isolates were found positive for Fungi, 37 isolates were found positive for E. coli and 26 isolates were found to be positive for Salmonella spp. that are the casual factors for stunted growth in commercial broilers. Among them 16 isolates were found mixed infection with Salmonella spp. and E. coli also included in both prevalence. The prevalence of Fungi, E. coli and Salmonella spp. were recorded as 16.07%, 66.07% and 46.42% respectively. Among the microbes isolated Escherichia coli was determined as predominant bacteria (66.07%) causing stunted growth in commercial broilers than Salmonella spp. (46.42%) and Fungi (16.07%). Litter and dropping samples were the highest sources of contamination than tracheal swabs. Fungal samples were isolated from feed, litter and drinking water samples and the prevalence of Fungi were recorded as lowest (16.07%) than other microbes causing stunted growth than Escherichia coli (66.07%) and Salmonella spp. (46.42%).DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjvm.v10i1-2.15643

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Microbiological evaluation of constructed wetlands and solar disinfection in wastewater treatment and reuse

Journal of Water and Health ◽

10.2166/wh.2020.301 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 18 (6) ◽

pp. 1146-1153

Author(s):

Vinícius B. Santos ◽

Beatriz S. Machado ◽

Alexandre Atalla ◽

Priscila S. Cavalheri ◽

Fernando J. C. Magalhães Filho

Keyword(s):

Constructed Wetlands ◽

Limit Of Detection ◽

Septic Tank ◽

Salmonella Spp ◽

Fecal Indicator ◽

Total Coliforms ◽

Solar Disinfection ◽

E Coli ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Shigella Spp

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the removal of fecal indicator bacteria and select bacterial pathogens (total coliforms, Escherichia coli, Shigella spp., Salmonella spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) in vertical flow constructed wetlands (VF-CWs) with earthworms and solar disinfection (SODIS) as post-treatment of effluent from a septic tank. There was no significant difference between them in removing bacteria using a VF-CW with earthworms (VF-CW W/E) and without earthworms (VF-CW N/E). Both VF-CWs did not completely remove pathogens; however, with the SODIS technology receiving the effluent from VF-CW W/E, for E. coli, Shigella spp., Salmonella spp. and P. aeruginosa, the values were reduced below the limit of detection and 4.3 log unit average reduction for total coliforms, with 6 h in SODIS.

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HUBUNGAN ANTARA JARAK SEPTIC TANK KE SUMUR GALI DAN KANDUNGAN ESCHERICHIA COLI DALAM AIR SUMUR GALI DI KELURAHAN TUMINTING KECAMATAN TUMINTING KOTA MANADO

JURNAL BIOMEDIK (JBM) ◽

10.35790/jbm.2.3.2010.1197 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Margareth R. Sapulete

Keyword(s):

Drinking Water ◽

Water Samples ◽

Health Centre ◽

Septic Tank ◽

Well Water ◽

Clean Water ◽

Public Health Centre ◽

E Coli ◽

Septic Tanks ◽

Bivariate Correlation

Abstract: Water is a vital requirement for all living creatures. Standards for monitoring drinking water and clean water for other uses are rare. Besides that, water sources such as wells are contaminated by many pollutants. According to the laboratory results conducted by the Tuminting Public Health Centre, wells used in the Tuminting District, Manado, have experienced E. coli contamination. The aim of this research was to identify factors associated with E. coli in the water of wells in the Tuminting District. The method used in this research was descriptive analysis. Through interviews and checklists of wells’ owners, primary data were collected and then laboratory examinations of well-water samples were carried out. Secondary data were collected from the Health Department of Manado, and the Health Centre and the District Office of Tuminting. We used 30 water samples by simple random sampling of 67 wells. Data were analyzed through univariate and bivariate correlation tests. The results showed that E. coli in well water used by the public in the Tuminting District exceeded the standard of clean water according to the Regulations of the Ministry of Health Republic of Indonesia No.416/MENKES/PER/IX/1990 and of drinking water according to the Decree of Health Ministry No. 907/MENKES/SK/VII/2002. Moreover, there was a significant relationship between the distance of wells to septic tanks and the E. coli contents in well water. We suggest that the government improve the construction of wells and septic tanks, provide qualified water supply, and introduce the usage of chlorine to achieve clean water and a better all round health status for the Tuminting public. Keywords : water, wells, E coli, septic tank Abstrak: Air merupakan kebutuhan vital bagi semua mahluk hidup. Standar monitoring air minum maupun untuk penggunaan lainnya masih jarang. Selain itu, sumber air seperti sumur telah dicemari oleh berbagai polutan. Hasil pemeriksaan laboratorium yang dilaksanakan oleh Puskesmas Tuminting menunjukkan bahwa sumur gali di kelurahan Tuminting telah tercemar Esherichia coli. Tujuan penelitian untuk mendapatkan faktor-faktor yang berperan terhadap pencemaran E. coli dalam air sumur kelurahan Tuminting. Metode penelitian yang digunakan yaitu deskriptif analitik. Data primer dikumpulkan melalui wawancara dengan pemilik sumur gali dengan menggunakan check list, dilanjutkan dengan pemeriksaan laboratorium terhadap sampel air sumur gali. Data sekunder diambil dari Dinas Kesehatan Kota Manado serta Puskesmas Tuminting dan Kantor Kelurahan Tuminting. Sampel ditentukan dengan metode simple random dan diperoleh 30 sampel air dari 67 sumur gali. Data dianalisis secara univariat dan bivariat dengan menggunakan uji korelasi. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa kandungan E. coli dalam air sumur gali yang digunakan oleh masyarakat di Kelurahan Tuminting melebihi standar baku mutu air bersih sesuai dengan Peraturan Menteri Kesehatan RI Nomor 416/MENKES/PER/IX/1990 maupun dari air minum sesuai dengan Keputusan Menteri Kesehatan RI Nomor 907/MENKES/SK/VII/2002. Selain itu terdapat hubungan yang bermakna antara jarak sumur gali ke septic tank dan kandungan E. Coli dalam air sumur gali. Disarankan kepada pihak pemerintah daerah untuk melakukan perbaikan konstruksi sumur gali maupun septic tank, menyediakan air bersih yang memenuhi syarat kesehatan, dan sosialisasi kepada masyarakat tentang penggunaan air bersih dan kaporisasi. Kata Kunci: air, sumur gali, E. coli, septic tank

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Distribution comparison between coliphages and phages of anaerobic bacteria (Bacteroides fragilis) in water sources, and their reliability as fecal pollution indicators in drinking water

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.1995.0607 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 31 (5-6) ◽

pp. 215-222 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

R. Armon ◽

Y. Kott

Keyword(s):

Drinking Water ◽

Sampling Site ◽

Anaerobic Bacteria ◽

Bacteroides Fragilis ◽

Pollution Index ◽

Fecal Coliforms ◽

E Coli ◽

Groundwater Aquifer ◽

Water Volumes ◽

Male Specific

E. coli somatic and male specific bacteriophages and Bacteroides fragilis bacteriophages had been surveyed in drinking water for three years. Concurrently, coliforms and fecal coliforms bacteria were also measured. Occasionally several large drinking water volumes were tested for enteric viruses and the above bacteriophages. Sampling site cluster shows good correlation between bacteriophages and bacterial indicators, as pollution index. Water from the three main supply sources showed increased bacteriophage presence as follows: well > lake >spring. Mixture of the three water supplies revealed different contamination frequency. Bacteriophages' presence in drinking water presumably points to contamination of these sources. Results of a different study on groundwater aquifer recharged with reused water, and retained for more than 20 months before being drawn out, showed absence of these bacteriophages. The current results correlate with other studies, indicating that filtration is a necessary step in water treatment. With the introduction of full scale filtration units in the near future, it is expected to find a decline in the presence of these bacteriophages in drinking water in Israel. Following additional studies, use of suggested E. coli bacteriophages of type male-specific (F+) similar to coliforms and B.fragilis bacteriophages to fecal coliforms as pollution index of drinking water, in addition to classical indicators.

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