Some microbiological, chemical analysis and nitrate nitrite levels of drinking and well water samples in Afyonkarahisar

Abstract

A total of 100 tap and 100 well water samples were collected from six municipalities and the city center in' Afyonkarahisar region from January 2003 to December 2003 and analyzed for some microbiological, chemical parameters and nitrate nitrite levels. While total (TCC) and fecal (thermotolerant) coliforms (FCC), Escherichia coli isolation procedure were determined using multiple-tube fermentation technique, sulphide reducing anaerobe bacteria (SPS), enterococci (EC), Pseudomonas spp. (Ps), coagulase positive staphylococci (CPS), micrococci/staphylococci (MS) and total viable count (TVC) were used by spread plating technique. As an isolation of Salmonella spp were used two enrichment steps. The pH and hardness values, calcium, nitrate, nitrite, ammonia and total organic substance of water samples were also determined. Hardness of tap and well water was found to be >= 32 degrees F in 19% and 20%, respectively. Calcium concentration was found to be >= 100 mg/l in tap and well water samples as a range of 7% and 13%, respectively. pH was found to be >8 in 6% and in 7% of tap and well water samples, respectively. Ammonia did not detect in the samples. Nitrate concentrations, greater than accepted level for safe drinking-water of 45 mg/l (Turkish Drinking Water Regulation) were present in 48% and 78% in tap and well water samples, respectively. Nitrite was also found to be over of 38% in tap and 58% in well water samples, respectively, according to the regulations permitting (0.05 mg/l). As a result, 15% tap and 16% well water samples for TCC and FCC, 1% tap water for Salmonella spp., 47% well and 39% tap water for total organic substance, 48% tap and 78% well water samples for nitrate, 38% tap and 58% well water samples for nitrite were found to be high levels according to Turkish Food Codex.