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Bacteriological quality of spring water in Bahrain

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Summary

The bacteriological quality of untreated spring waters in Bahrain were evaluated. Samples were collected from 12 natural springs and analysed for total plate count, total coliform, total faecal coliform, total faecal streptococci and occurrence ofShigella andSalmonella. The total bacterial counts ranged from 2.4×101 to 1.6×104 CFU mL−1 with an average of 2.8×103.

The coliform organisms were present in all springs. Faecal coliforms were present in 11 out of 12 springs studied, and three springs were heavily contaminated. Based on criteria which used the ratio of faecal coliform to faecal streptococci, all springs studied may be contaminated with human wastes, except one spring which may be contaminated with animal wastes. NeitherSalmonella norShigella were detected in any of the spring waters. It is concluded that the spring waters studied are unsuitable for human consumption unless disinfected.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ministry of Health, Public Health Directorate, P.O. Box 42, Manama, Bahrain

    Zakaria A. Khunji, O. Abdulrahman,  Musaiger & Hussain A. Mohana

Authors
  1. Zakaria A. Khunji
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  2. O. Abdulrahman
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  3. Musaiger
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  4. Hussain A. Mohana
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Additional information

Dr Abdulrahman O. Musaiger is the senior author, to whom correspondence should be addressed. He is Head of the Nutrition Unit at the Bahrain Public Health Directorate. Mr Zakaria A. Khunji is a qualified microbiologist and the nutritionist at the Unit. Mr Hussain A. Mohana is a graduate and technician in charge of the food and water microbiology section at the Public Health Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Bahrain.

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Khunji, Z.A., Abdulrahman, O., Musaiger et al. Bacteriological quality of spring water in Bahrain. Environmentalist 10, 135–139 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02244390

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02244390

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