Abstract
High number of refugees, internally displaced people (IDP) and nomadic camps were established in the aftermath of intensive military operations and militant activities from 2000 onwards in different regions, especially areas near Afghanistan border of Khyber Pakhton Khwa (KPK), Pakistan. In this study we analyzed the quality of well drinking water in three (A, B, C) different camps situated in Kohat Division in April 2011. Well water samples were serially diluted and inoculated in respective media by spread plate technique standard procedure, and incubated at 37±1 °C for 24–36 hours. The viable count of tested microorganism was mentioned in form of CFU. Daily uptake of microbial load/person/day was calculated and each source contribution was measured by using ANOVA. Results showed that total viable count, fungal count and their daily uptake were significant in all stations, while Fecal Coliform (E. coli), Salmonella, Shigella and S. cocci loads were enormous in station B followed by station C. In station A microbial load was comparatively lesser than in station B and C. Moreover, stations A, B, and C have higher enteric pathogenic microbial load than are WHO recommended standards for potable water.
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Muhammad, N., Bangush, M. & Khan, T.A. Microbial Contamination in Well Water of Temporary Arranged Camps: A Health Risk in Northern Pakistan. Water Qual Expo Health 4, 209–215 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12403-012-0080-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12403-012-0080-0