Microbial content of Yarmuk River and King Abdulla Canal waterways in Jordan

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to monitor the microbiological contamination of the water of Yarmuk River [YR] and King Abdulla Canal [KAC] in Jordan for 6 months [June-November 2000] for their aerobic plate count, total coliforms, fecal coliforms, fecal Streptococci, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella, fungi, algae, and protozoa. Water samples were collected monthly for 6 months [June-November 2000] from three generally representable locations of each of YR and KAC. The procedures of Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Waste Water were, in general, used, The average counts in log colony forming units/ml water were 5.4, 4.9 aerobic plate counts; 3.4, 3.5 total coliforms; 2.0, 1.9 fecal coliforms; 1.7, 1.6 S.aureus', and 1.7,1.7 fungi [molds and yeasts], respectively. The presumptive tests for Salmonellae were positive in all samples of the two waterways. Average algae and protozoa counts during 4 months [July-October] in 5-I water samples as log/liter were 6.7, 6.9 in Yarmuk River and 3.2, 3.4 in King Abdulla Canal, respectively. The microbial contents of the sediments of the two waterways and temperature, pH, electric conductivity, turbidity, and dissolved oxygen were also recorded. From the public point of view, the microbial water quality of the two waterways is not suitable for drinking before treatment; it is, however, suitable for agricultural restricted irrigation