Water Quality and Microbiological Status of the Distribution System Evaluated Using Established and Emergent Parameters

The problem of the lack of good quality and quantity of water for all purposes has been increasing due to the war damage to water supply plants, the effects of the unique phenomena of subsidence of the area as well as flooding caused by recent heavy rain in the area of Tuzla Canton. The flood has resulted in pollution of the drinking water and, in the light of this emergency we carried out a study to determine drinking water quality by two methods: traditional tests required by law and specific laboratory tests. The aims of the microbiological analysis of water were: to detect evidence of excretal biological pollution as a result of the flooding in the area of Tuzla Canton in 2002; to evaluate the required laboratorial procedures in Bosnia and Herzegovina for the detection of potent pathogens in the drinking water. The study included the examination of 99 samples of water: 48 samples from municipal water supplies; 13 from closed sources and 38 from open sources. Samples of water were tested by routine bacteriological, parasitological and biological methods. Reverse transcription -polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was applied for the detection of viruses. Microorganisms were absent in four (4.04%) of the 99 samples of water. Out of 95 samples of water, 240 micro-organisms were isolated as follows: 114 strains of bacteria, 56 viruses, 52 bacteriophages (19 coliphages and 33 Salmonella enteritidis phage), 2 nematodes, 16 algae. According to traditional tests required by law, water from 35.35% (35/99) sources was found suitable for drinking but using specific laboratory tests, only 10.10% (10/99) of samples were in compliance with the law. There was a significant difference in water quality (p<0.01). These results call for a revision of water quality guidelines based only on indicator organisms without also making reference to the absence of viruses. We have pointed out the importance of all the parameters, which should be applied during emergencies such as the recent flooding. We also suggest that, along with routine examination of drinking water there should be periodically (per month or per year) incorporated into the current protocol extra measures for detection of enteroviruses and bacteriophages.