Microbial examination of drinking water in district Jammu of J&K, India

Abstract

A total of 112 water samples from Tawi river Pre-filtration, Post filtration water, household supplies, ponds and wells of kandi area and border belt in both summer and rainy season were collected and analysed for their microbial load. None of the samples complied with bacteriological standards for total Coliforms (TC), Faecal Coliforms (FC), Faecal Streptococcus (FS) and Clostridium perfringens (CP). During summer season, the values of TC, FC, FS, CP were highest (1359, 164, 664, 604 MPN/100ml respectively) in pre filtration Tawi river water and lowest (5.6, 3.5, 5.43 and 4.91 MPN/100ml respectively) in post filtration water. During rainy season also, the values of TC, FC, FS, CP were highest (2391, 227, 858 and 716 MPN/100ml respectively) in pre filtration Tawi river water and lowest (9.4, 6.2, 9.0 and 8.6 MPN/100ml respectively) in post filtration water. SPC/ml was highest for Tawi river (pre filtration) water (6.2×106) in rainy season and lowest for post filtration water (1.049×103) in summer season. Studies revealed cent percent faecal pollution of drinking water sources in the study area due to presence of coliform the indicator organisms. Highest level of faecal pollution was shown by Tawi River supplying inputs to the filtration plants. The water supply sources were unsatisfactory for drinking when compared with the WHO or BIS standards for coliform count. It was concluded that there is urgent need of public health advisory for public enlightenment by avoiding contaminated source of drinking water until corrective actions have been assured.