"Variations of physicochemical and microbial parameters of waters in NW Greece and possible effects on humans and the environment. Quantitative research in Environmental Physiology"

Abstract

Water is the most abundant natural resource which, in order to be suitable for human consumption, must undergo the appropriate treatment. Water treatment plants remove all undesirable components in order to achieve the standards defined by the Greek National Legislation and the European Directive for the protection of public health.

The aim of this postgraduate thesis was to digitize and analyse the microbiological records (Aerobic Colonies Count at 37^oC and 22^oC, Escherichia coli, Total Coliforms, Enterococcus, Intestinal Enterococci, Clostridium Perfrigens, Pseudomonas) collected from 2013 to 2018 in North-western Greece and to associate them with the chlorine residue. The records were originally digitized using the Microsoft Excel 365 program (per year and season).  The averages, standard deviations, and medians were calculated with the statistical software IBM SPPS Statistics Version 20.0. One-way Anova analysis was performed to identify any differences between the parameter values per season.

The quality of drinking water in north-west Greece has improved considerably in recent years. However, the detection of microbial values (especially for E. Coli) outside the normal range should alarm the authorities and motivate them to address the problems detected, as early as possible, in order to provide drinking water completely free of any microbial load.

GRIVAS Panagiotis