Microbial quality of water in rural communities of Trinidad

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted in four rural communities of northeastern Trinidad to determine the microbial quality of water supply to households and that quality's relationship to source and storage device. Of the 167 household water samples tested, total coliforms were detected in 132 of the samples (79.0%), fecal coliforms in 102 (61.1%), and E. coli in 111 (66.5%). There were significant differences among the towns in the proportion of the samples contaminated with coliforms (P < 0.001) and E. coli (P < 0.001). Of 253 strains of E. coli studied, 4 (1.6%) were mucoid, 9 (3.6%) were hemolytic, and 37 (14.6%) were nonsorbitol fermenters. Of 69 isolates of E. coli tested, 10 (14.5%) were verocytotoxigenic. Twenty-eight (14.0%) of 200 E. coli isolates tested belonged to enteropathogenic serogroups. Standpipe, the most common water source, was utilized by 57 (34.1%) of the 167 households. Treated water (pipeborne in homes, standpipes, or truckborne) was supplied to 119 households (71.3%), while 48 households (28.7%) used water from untreated sources (rain, river/stream, or well) as their primary water supply. The type of household storage device was associated with coliform contamination. Water stored in drums, barrels, or buckets was more likely to harbor fecal coliforms (74.2% of samples) than was water stored in tanks (53.3% of samples), even after controlling for water source (P = 0.04). Compared with water from other sources, water piped into homes was significantly less likely to be contaminated with total coliforms (56.9% versus 88.8%, P < 0.001) and fecal coliforms (41.2% versus 69.8%, P < 0.01), even when the type of storage device was taken into account. However, fecal contamination was not associated with whether the water came from a treated or untreated source. We concluded that the drinking water in rural communities in Trinidad was grossly unfit for human consumption, due both to contamination of various water sources and during household water storage.

Incidence of Staphylococcus aureus, coliforms and antibiotic resistant strains of Escherichia coli in rural water supplies in Calabar South Local Government Area

“…It has been reported that coliform can be found both in chlorinated and unchlorinated water and that their total elimination from water would require the knowledge of their population in such water and determining the quantity of chlorine needed for their complete chlorinators (Inyang, 2009). However, tap water are usually stored in storage devices such as tanks and reservoirs after harvesting and therefore, having unsanitary storage devices is known to contribute to substantial reduction in water quality (Welch et al, 2000). Members of the genus Staphylococci, mostly S. aureus is considered as an indicator of hygienic status employed in the field of production or distribution of drinking water (Mihdhdir, 2009).…”

Analysis of physical and chemical parameters in ground water consumed within Konso area, Southwestern Ethiopia

“…Calcium has no effect on human health in water, but it can cause hardness problem risk and directly related to hardness (Welch et al, 2000). Except for sample area from Alatayte2, Moriteta, Airport, Fasha town, Gersale and Fuchucha, rest of the samples' concentrations of calcium are above permissive standard limit prescribed by WHO.…”

Street Vended Food in Developing World: Hazard Analyses

“…Studies done to find out the bacteriological quality of the water used by some street vendors have revealed frequent contamination with coliforms and fecal coliforms [43]. When the street foods in Trinidad and Tobago were analyzed, it was reported found that 35% of foods were contaminated by E. coli while 57.5% of water used by vendors were contaminated by coliforms [26,[44][45][46]. These reports were similar to the findings that the stored water used by consumers and vendors, at the vending site, showed heavy bacteriological contamination of faecal origin [31].…”