Microbial analysis of water bodies near food industries

Abstract

The quality of water and occurrence of water borne diseases are critical public health issues. The most serious public health risk associated with drinking water is microbiological contamination thereby making it a priority for water quality testing. The objective of the study was to assess the quality of drinking water by isolation and enumeration of organisms through microbiological examination. Water samples were collected from four different regions -North, South, East and Central Kolkata. Microbial and fermentation tests were performed in the collected water samples followed by confirmatory IMViC tests to detect the presence of microorganisms. Microbial estimations indicated the presence of coliforms in water which may lead to diseases like diarrhoea and gastrointestinal problems. The biochemical tests also displayed the occurrence of the members of the Enterobacteriaceae family including E.coli, Enterobacter sp and Klebsiella sp. These microorganisms deteriorate the quality of drinking water making it unfit for human consumption. Therefore, accurate testing of drinking water is crucial in maintaining the health and safety of inhabitants who rely on this resource.