Avaliação microbiológica da água de consumo empregada em unidades de alimentação / Microbiological evaluation of drinking water used in feeding units

A água de consumo humano é o principal veículo de transmissão de patógenos capazes de causar infecções gastrointestinais, sendo vital o seu controle microbiológico. O presente trabalho teve a finalidade de avaliar a qualidade bacteriológica da água para o consumo humano, quanto à presença de coliformes totais e termotolerantes, em diferentes unidades de alimentação na cidade do Recife (PE), conforme os padrões de potabilidade estabelecidos pela Portaria nº 518 de 2004 do Ministério da Saúde/ANVISA. Foram coletadas quarenta amostras de água em unidades de alimentação, localizadas no entorno da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco e da Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco. Foram realizados os testes bacteriológicos para pesquisa de coliformes totais e termotolerantes, conforme o protocolo do APHA (1995). Das amostras analisadas, 62,5 por cento apresentaram coliformes totais e 42,5 por cento, coliformes termotolerantes. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, 62,5 por cento das amostras não estão em conformidade com a legislação vigente.

The water for human consumption is the main vehicle for the transmission of pathogens that are capable of causing enteric parasitic diseases; therefore, its microbiological control is vital. This work had the purpose of evaluating the bacteriological quality of drinking water, in terms of the presence of total and thermotolerant coliforms, in different Feeding Units in the city of Recife, Pernambuco State, according to the potableness standards established by Ordinance No. 518 of 2004 of the Brazilian Ministry of Health/ANVISA. Forty water samples were collected in the Feeding Units located near the UFPE and UFRPE. The bacteriological tests for research on total and thermotolerant coliforms were carried out in accordance with the protocol of APHA (1995). Of the analyzed samples, 62.5 percent presented total coliforms and 42.5 percent thermotolerant coliforms. According to the results obtained, 62.5 percent of the samples are not in compliance with the law in force

Quality of bottled water brands in Egypt part I: physico-chemical analyses

Consumers are reacting to the water quality problems by buying bottled water which is an expensive solution and only partially addresses the problem. Subsequently, sales of bottled water have increased dramatically in the last ten years. To assess the quality of bottled water in Egypt, samples of 14 Egyptian brands of uncarbonated natural bottled water were evaluated within 6 months. Physico-chemical parameters of a total of 84 samples were tested using standard methods comparing them with those reported on their manufacturer's labeling and/or with government-issued production licenses. A comparison between the water composition and the maximum contaminant levels imposed by the Egyptian standards and several other international guidelines for all parameters was reported and discussed. They varied in composition among the brands and from lot to lot for a particular brand. The results obtained showed that a significant number of bottled water brands contain some elements [e.g. fluoride and several heavy metals] above the maximum concentration allowed for bottled waters by the Egyptian standards and several other international organizations. These results suggest the need for more stringent standardization of the bottled water market, with particular attention to quality control, labeling, and continuous monitoring

Quality of bottled water brands in Egypt part II: Biological water examination

People can survive several days without food, but just a few days without water. People buy bottled water for a variety of reasons, including convenience, fashion, and taste or because they think it is safer than tap water. The taste of the water has to do with the way it is treated and the quality of its source, including its natural mineral content. However, taste does not always indicate safeness. Refrigeration has a significant effect on the bacteriological quality of the purchased bottle. To asses the quality of bottled water in Egypt, samples of 14 Egyptian brands of uncarbonated natural bottled water were evaluated within 6 months. Biological examinations of a total of 84 samples were carried out using standard methods comparing them with the Egyptian standards No. 1589/2005. Also bacteriological examinations of 56 samples were carried out after "1-3" months and "3-6" months storage time at room temperature to detect the effect of storage on their quality. More than half [54.8%] of biological parameters were violated the Egyptian standards. A percentage of 28.6% of all bottled water samples were contaminated with coliform, but surprisingly fecal coliforms and E.coli were not detected. Moreover, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were isolated from 5.95% and 3.6%, respectively of all samples. Giardia lamblia cysts has been found in 2.4% of samples, while absence of Cryptosporidium oocysts in all samples was reported. More than half [52%] of the unrefrigerated samples were unacceptable compared to only 19.4% of the refrigerated bottles. These results suggest the need for continuous monitoring for evidence of contamination at source or during the bottling process

Surveillance of quality of drinking water

To study the status of bacteriological contamination of drinking water being supplied by the municipal corporation. Community based longitudinal study. Department of Community Medicine and Microbiology of Government Medical College. 133 Hand pumps and 107 taps from which people were using water for drinking purposes were included in the study. Bacteriological quality of drinking water was checked by Mackie and Mc Cartney's method; calculating most probable number [MPN] by presumptive coliform count. Water samples with MPN > 3 were considered unfit for drinking purposes. The bacteriological analysis of water samples was carried out for two years from July 2002 to June 2004. It showed that 47.4% hand pumps and 15.9% taps were supplying contaminated water; the range was from 40-70% and 27.8-57.9% during pre-monsoon to post-monsoon, seasons of respective years. The contamination of drinking water unfortunately appears to be a universal phenomenon in most of the developing countries. The authors conclude that there are two spheres, which needs to be strengthened. Firstly, the bacteriological quality of drinking water needs to be improved in general and special care is to be taken during pre-monsoon and monsoon periods. Secondly, regular campaigns may be carried out to inform the public about the importance of safe and potable water including methods for household disinfection of drinking water, during the pre-monsoon and monsoon periods when the incidence of contaminated water samples is highest in the region

Access to water quality and functioning sewerage system of internally displaced person's camps in NWFP

Environmental health survey was done on water and sanitation issues, at 43 Internally Displaced Person's Camps [IDP] of the NWFP province after 8[th] October 2005 earthquake in Pakistan. To describe the challenges/situation faced by healthcare providers in providing safe drinking water and sanitation with the objective to restore these in the shortest time. Cross sectional observational survey was done of the IDP camps in NWFP from November, 2005 to April, 2006. A total of 43 camps were visited twice a week. All information was recorded in structured questionnaire, edited and analyzed through SPSS version 10. A total of 43 IDP camps were visited. Using WHO standards for assessment of quality of drinking water, it was found that water quality of 35 camps was satisfactory and of 07 was unsatisfactory while one of them had turbid appearance. Spring water was the main source of water supply in these camps. Twenty-one out of 43 camps had 485 flush latrines and 20 camps had 707 pit latrines. Out of 43 camps, 36 camps had specific latrines for women while others did not have specific latrines for women. Bath facilities were limited

Transportation of juvenile tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) in a closed system

O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar o efeito da densidade, duração e do uso de aditivos na água durante o transporte de juvenis de tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) e usar estes resultados para estabelecer um protocolo seguro de transporte para esta espécie. Os produtos testados e suas doses foram: sal de mesa (1000, 2000 e 3000 mg/L), gesso (100, 300 e 500 mg/L) e benzocaína (10, 20 e 30 mg/L). Os peixes foram transportados em sistema fechado (saco plástico) em diferentes densidades e por diferentes tempos por até 24 h de transporte. A sobrevivência e os parâmetros de qualidade da água foram monitorados imediatamente após o transporte. Os peixes que sobreviveram ao transporte foram colocados em tanques-rede para avaliar a mortalidade após 96 h. A melhor densidade, tempo de transporte e aditivo foram estimados por modelo linear geral. O efeito do fator de condição na sobrevivência após o transporte e na sobrevivência de 96 h também foi avaliado. Como esperado, a sobrevivência após o transporte e a sobrevivência de 96 h foram significativamente correlacionados com o tempo e a densidade. A sobrevivência após o transporte, mas não a sobrevivência de 96 h, também tem correlação com os aditivos testados. A sobrevivência após o transporte é significativamente igual para o tratamento controle e para os tratamentos que receberam gesso e significativamente menor para os tratamentos que receberam sal e benzocaína. O fator de condição não tem correlação com a sobrevivência após o transporte e a sobrevivência de 96 h. É conclusivo que os aditivos testados não melhoram a sobrevivência de juvenis de tambaqui após o transporte. Modelos lineares foram desenvolvidos para predizer a melhor densidade de transporte em função do tempo.

Radon concentrations in public water supplies in Tehran and evaluation of radiation dose

Radon and its short-lived decay products in dwellings are recognized as the main sources of public exposure from the natural radioactivity. The tap water used for drinking and other household uses can make variable contributions to the indoor radon level. This study has provided data on radon concentrations in domestic water supplies in Tehran. Water samples were collected from various sources supplying domestic water in Tehran. Sample preparation for measuring waterborne radon by liquid scintillation counting was carried out in place. A modified sample preparation method providing higher measurement sensitivity was applied in this work. According to measurements, the mean 222Rn concentrations in groundwater and surface water supplies were 46.40 +/- 11.50 and 2.50 +/- 1.20 Bq.L-1, respectively. The mean radon concentration in tap water was 3.70 +/- 0.94 Bq.L-1. The annual total effective dose to adults due to waterborne radon in Tehran was estimated to be about 10 microSv. The radon concentrations in tap water actually used by people in Tehran are low enough and below the proposed limits in other countries

Bacteriological study of bottled drinking water marketed in Mangalore.

Bottled water is generally accepted as safe for consumption. However, its potability is uncertain. Ninety samples of Six national and 3 local brands marketed in Mangalore City were studied. Seven of these were ISI certified. Bacteriological analysis of these samples were carried out for viable count, presumtive coliform count by multiple tube method, confirmed Esch. coli count by Eijkman test and specific intestinal pathogens, such as Salmonella, Shigella and Vibrios. Thirty out of 90 samples though free from coliforms, had viable count much higher than specified by Bureau of Indian Standard. Three samples of one of the brands which is ISI not certified had Esch. coli with most probable number 18/100 ml and Salmonella typhimurium. It is concluded that bottled water can not be taken for granted to be safe.

Reglamentos técnicos de diseño para sistemas de agua potable: reglamento nacional / Technical regulations of drinkable water systems design: Bolivian rules

Los presentes reglamentos técnicos de diseño para sistemas de agua potable constituyen instrumentos normativos importantes para lograr los objetivos y metas planteadas en el espacio institucional dentro del marco de las políticas del Plan Nacional de Saneamiento Básico. Los reglamentos tienen como objetivo fundamental regular y ordenar el diseño y consecuentemente la construcción de los sistemas de agua potable, mejorando las condiciones de vida y salud del boliviano

Evaluation of public swimming pools in recreational area

This work aimed at determining the effect of excessive number of bathers on the water quality of swimming pools, and developing a model for health risk among public swimming pools. This model provides a useful tool for setting standards for the water quality into public swimming pools. Severe water deterioration was monitored for public swimming pools in a recreational area. The contamination of water was due to the high bather loads and the applied low chlorine dose. A significant correlation between the fecal coliform density, MPN per 100 ml, and the bather loads was found. Water was contaminated rapidly by increasing of bather load. The response of water treatment was delayed for two hours until a significant reduction of fecal coliform count started. The bather loads should be restricted to 15 bathers per 100 sq.m. Of the water surface. Otherwise, any restoration process of water quality in similar public swimming pools should be based on increasing the chlorine dose. To overcome the complaints of bathers about high chlorine dose, water tank just ahead of the chlorinator followed by small water aerator are needed. Also, the increasing of public awareness, about the use of feet bathers and shower facilities, is essential. To adapt the bathers' height and their swimming capabilities, the water depth of 50% of the water surface area should be ranged between 100 to 150 cm

Agua potable y saneamiento ambiental 1981-1990: un camino hacia la salud / Drinking water and sanitation 1981-1990: a way to health

Con la presente publicacion se trata de xplicar los enfoques que se dan al Decenio y mostrar como estos pueden implicar modificaciones fundamentales de estrategias nacionales y apoyo internacional; ademas, formula pautas aplicables a actividades especificas para la planificacion y diseno de programas adecuados.Comprende los siguientes aspectos: desarrollo complementario de saneamiento ambiental y el abastecimiento de agua; estrategias que conceden prioridad a las poblaciones desfavorecidas,rurales y urbanas; programas que sivan de modelo para una accion autosuficiente y autosostenida; empleo de sistemas socialemte adaptados, al alcance de la poblacion ;asociacion de las comunidades en todas las fases; coordinacion de programas de abastecimiento de agua y saneamiento ambiental con los de otros sectores.

Quality of drinking water in rural areas

A total of 106 water samples from various sources of drinking water in villages around the University campus, were taken for bacteriological examination. A topographical examination was also carried out and recorded in a proforma. The results of the study show that water from open wells and earthenware pitchers [used as storage containers] was grossly contaminated with Escherichia coli and Streptococcus faecalis. The samples taken from tubewelis [through taps] and hand-pumped wells were also contaminated, but to a lesser degree. The surrounding of the water sources were unhygienic and therefore faecal contamination was liable to occur continuously