"Waterborne Infections and Public Health Impacts: Assessment of Water Quality Properties, Emphasis on Potentially Pathogenic Microorganisms as Suitability Indicators"

Abstract

Introduction: Water for human consumption must be harmless to human health, free of pathogenic micro-organisms and dangerous substances. Quality control has helped eliminate waterborne infections and for safer water consumption.

Aim: To investigate all the microbiological and physiochemical properties of the water of the Regional Unit of Epirus and the bottled water of the Bottling Industries of Epirus 1 and 2 between the years 2013-2018.

Methods: Record of the microbiological and physiochemical properties of the water through the records of the Water and Food Hygiene Unit for the years 2013-2018.

Results: From data recording it appeared that for the Common aerobic and Total Coliforms at 22°C and 37°C the number of samples in the summer period (n: 43) was increased, compared to the winter (n: 31). For E. coli the highest median of 4.5816cfu/100mL, Std. Deviation (SD) 5,55596 was recorded in summer period, as for Enterococci: Mean 2.4513cfu/100mL, SD 3,17493, p= 0.022. Regarding Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Mean elevations of 11.9667 cfu/100mL, SD 63,85246 were seen in the winter period, as opposed to Clostridium Perfringens, which shows an increased summer period of 0.1479 cfu/100mL, SD 0,37796. Legionella spp is limited to zero results in the winter sampling period (n: 25). The comparative analysis per year for the water supply network showed statistically significant results for three microorganisms: Total Coliforms (p= 0.001), E. coli (p= 0.021), Fecal Enterococci (p= 0.001). For the refugee camps, there was not a statistically significant difference between pathogens per year, Total coliforms, TMF 22°C, TMF 37°C, Fecal Streptococci, E. coli, Fecal Enterococci (p= 0.847, vs p= 0.904, vs p= 0,813, vs p= 0.760, vs p= 0.802 vs p= 0.883).

Conclusions: Control procedures and appropriate action are necessary to identify the hazards in the water supply system in order to protect Public Health.

KARAVASILI Nikoletta