Evaluation of bateriologial and sanitary quality of drinking water stations and water tankers in Makkah Al-Mokarama

Abstract

The present study was conducted to evaluate the bacteriological and sanitary quality of drinking water produced in Makkah Al-Mokarama during the high season in the month of Ramadan. Water samples were collected both from the drinking water stations and the water tankers (in Arabic language called whitats) used to transport and distribute water in different places in the Holy city. Water samples were analyzed to determine the densities of HPC at 22 and 37 degrees C, total coliforms, E. coli and S. aureus. The bacteriological analysis of drinking water samples at 37 degrees C proved that 6.7-33.3, 20-46.7, 0-20 and 0-6.7% of total water samples contained HPC, total coliforms, E. coli and S. aureus, respectively which were higher than the safe limits for drinking water. The bacterial analysis of drinking water varied from one water station to another. On the other hand, drinking water transported by tankers appeared to be in the lowest category of water quality. Because out of total water samples 40-59%, 60-68.8%, 31.2-37.5%, 10-25% contained HPC, total coliforms, E. coli and S. aureus, respectively, which were higher than the established safe limits of drinking water. One possible reason for poor quality of drinking water could be attributed to the application of inadequate water disinfection treatments and also the absence of sanitary aspects as supported by the bacteriological analysis which holds true especially for water supplied by tankers. In conclusion, it is important to apply proper water disinfection measures and provide sanitary monitoring programs during the production of drinking water as a whole and for the water tanker in particular.