“Every cell counts”—experiences with flow cytometry for Austrian drinking water supply

The last decades have seen extensive scientific and technological improvements in many fields of microbiology and molecular biology. Correspondingly, flow cytometry—a rapid, precise and straightforward method for cultivation-independent detection of cells in liquids—has been a major topic in aquatic microbiology and drinking water analysis. Flow cytometry provides information at the single-cell level, including total cell counts, size measurements, nucleic acid content and bacterial viability and activity. While regulatory requirements for water testing rely on cultivation-based methods, flow cytometry can be considered a powerful tool to complement standard procedures.This article provides insights into the methodology and applicability of flow cytometry in the field of microbiological drinking water analysis and presents an overview on several case studies that cover a broad range of different objectives. The later are comprised of a study on flow cytometric characterization of Austrian drinking water resources, of an example for advanced data analysis methods of flow cytometric data, of a study on monitoring microbial regrowth within the distribution network, of an exemplary case of the application of online flow cytometry for high-frequency monitoring and of an introduction to the combination of flow cytometry and sequencing information.Finally, it is argued that due to the high microbiological variability of different water resources, unusual changes of flow cytometric parameters, rather than specific limits, could act as an indicator for further investigation. In this way flow cytometry can provide a good basis for risk assessments in water safety plans. The application of flow cytometry still remains utility-specific and a huge need for standardization of data analysis and interpretation exists in order to achieve a better cooperation of water utilities.

A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF PHYSICOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS OF BIRD'S VALLEY, PUNE QUARRY WATER AND DRINKING WATER

Purpose of the study: The purpose behind this study is to get the knowledge of the range of physicochemical parameters of the Bird's valley, Pune quarry water in comparison with the drinking water. Methodology: With the help of clean and sterilized polyethylene bottles of 1 liter capacity have been used for the collection of quarry water. Total 21 physico-chemical parameters have been analyzed and compared with the values for the drinking water. Analysis of water is carried out in the laboratory with the help of standard methods and techniques. Main Findings: Presence of mercury in quarry water is very much high i-e 0.006 mg/liter and coli form bacteria are also numerous in count. Applications of this study: This study gives us the idea about the range of the parameters of quarry water in comparison with drinking water and after the suitable treatment it could be converted into drinking water or not. Novelty/Originality of this study: Till the date no work has been done on quarry water like this, present study will help us to understand whether the quarry water could be used as a potable water or not.

Modification of the H2S test to screen for the detection of sulphur- and sulphate-reducing bacteria of faecal origin in water

The H2S test was created to assess the microbial quality of drinking water in low-resource settings, but the original version of the H2S test lacks sensitivity and specificity for faecal indicator bacteria. There is evidence that a modified media formula of the H2S test may be more sensitive and specific for the faecal indicator bacterium Escherichia coli (E. coli) and less sensitive to organisms of non-faecal origin. This research established the detection threshold and operational range of the H2S test, to increase its sensitivity and specificity for E. coli. A total of 20 modifications of the H2S test, and the original test, were assayed against 20 confirmed and pure culture bacteria of faecal and non-faecal origin at varying concentrations. Additionally, some of the H2S test modifications were evaluated against standard methods for drinking-water analysis. Results indicate that using a modified version of the H2S test containing L-cystine and 2-mercaptopyridine, and bile salts or penicillin G, E. coli will produce H2S. In addition, this research reveals which organisms react positively to the original and modified versions of the H2S test. The modified versions of the H2S test can be promoted as a simple screening test for microbial drinking-water safety in low-resource settings.

Sanitary quality (bacteriological and physical-chemical) of drinking water in urban slums in Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

Water must meet the drinking water standards in order not to cause disease. In urban slums the infrastructure (water supply, sewage) is more precarious, leaving the population susceptible to health problems. The objective was to analyze drinking water consumed by the population in Manguinhos slums, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, based on the standards established in the Brazilian Regulation, and based on socioenvironmental indicators related to the health of the slums population. Bacteriological and physicochemical parameters were analyzed according to Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, compared with socioenvironmental data through spatial statistics. The results revealed that water, for the most part, exceeded the limits of drinking water quality standards, which places the population's health at risk and reinforces the urgency of public policies. Spatial and drinking water analysis indicated that the regions with the highest population density were the regions with the highest socioenvironmental vulnerability. These areas are priorities for government action to reduce health inequities, such as education, access to health services and access to sewer and water treatment.

Packaged Drinking Water Analysis by Classification Technique of Data Mining

In a world where sufficient and safe water is not available everywhere, either because of harmful substances are found in the layer of earth surface which enter into a water or may be because of some other microorganisms. However what about packaged drinking water is safest is the big question. To analyze this proposed a model which helps to compare few brands of packaged drinking water and checked certain water quality level through customized classification technique of data mining. Proposed customized classification model can predict safe water based on the parameters of water quality which make ease of work of the laboratory technician by predicting which packaged water will be safest to drink