Potability Testing and Microbiological Analysis of Drinking Water at Central Railway Stations of Mumbai Suburbs
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id4195927 pdfMachine by Broadgun Software - a great PDF writer! - a great PDF creator! - http://www.pdfmachine.com http://www.broadgun.com International Journal of Latest Research in Science and Technology ISSN (Online):2278-5299 Volume 4, Issue 3: Page No.60-62, May-June 2015 https://www.mnkpublication.com/journal/ijlrst/index.php POTABILITY TESTING AND MICROBIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF DRINKING WATER AT CENTRAL RAILWAY STATIONS OF MUMBAI SUBURBS Hemangi Kotibhaskar*1, Hiren Dandia1, Harsha Palav1 * Corresponding author 1 Department of Biotechnology, K. J. Somaiya College of Science and Commerce, Vidyavihar, Mumbai 400077 Abstract- Local trains serve as lifeline in Mumbai city as thousands of people travel through these trains. Station halts provide a source of drinking water for the people travelling through local trains. Diseases of intestinal origin, typhoid fever and dysentery particularly, have been and are transmitted by waters making them. The present study was focused on testing of these drinking water sources. The station water samples tested were found to have coliforms high in number and each of them showing presence of E. coli, making them non potable and hazardous to human health. All these samples had fecal coliforms suggesting fecal contamination. The number of coliforms was in this order: Thane > Dadar > CST. While the seasonal studies suggested higher number of coliforms in rainy season. Biochemical characterization of the contaminated water samples showed the presence of E.coli, Salmonella typhi & Pseudomonas sp. Thus we can use this study for analysis of other water samples also it suggests the highest urge to treat the water provided by these sources so that they are hygienic. Keywords- Fecal contamination, Health hazards, E.coli, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas sp I. INTRODUCTION II. MATERIALS AND METHODS Potable water is water which is fit for consumption by I- Sample Collection- Samples from different stations viz. humans and other animals. Water may be naturally potable, Thane Railway Station, Dadar Railway Station, C.S.T as is the case with pristine springs, or it may need to be Railway Station, were collected in a sterile flask or sterile treated in order to be safe. In either instance, the safety of plastic sample bottles and were rinsed thrice with the water is assessed with tests which look for potentially sample water before it was collected. The water samples harmful contaminants [1] collected were refrigerated and used within 1hr while in In developing countries, a large proportion of the exceptional cases they were used within 24 hours of population does not have access to safe water. Water which is collection. [3] not safe to drink can carry disease causing organisms. People who consume this water will become ill, and there is a risk of II- Sample Analysis- The sample waters collected were death. Unfortunately, even in areas where the water is known analyzed (in triplicates) according to the standard protocols to be unsafe, people may drink it anyway, out of desperation. and tests prescribed. It included: The lack of potable water is often accompanied by other A. Multiple Tube Fermentation Technique (MPN: most lapses in sanitation, such as open sewers and limited garbage probable number): This test determines total number of collection. Many of these public health issues impact the poor coliforms present in the water sample by checking acid more than anyone else. Bacteriological examination offers and gas production by coliforms in multiple tubes of ’s broth the most delicate test for the detection of potentially MacConkey dangerous fecal pollution [1] B. Presumptive Test: This method is similar to MPN but The organisms most commonly used as indicators of fecal the medium used is lauryl tryptose broth suitable for pollution are the coliform group as a whole and more detection of fecal coliforms. particularly, E.coli. Examination of fecal Streptococci and C. Confirmed Test: This test confirms the presence of Clostridium perfringes may at times be of value in fecal coliforms by two ways, one by observing acid confirming the fecal nature of pollution [2] and gas production in brillian green lactose bile broth The aim of the present was to check the potability of (BGLB) and presence of typical colonies (giving water samples obtained from central railway stations metallic sheen) on Eosin methylene blue (EMB) agar. (Thane, Dadar, C.S.T) of Mumbai suburbs, and to check D. Completed Test: This test involves biochemical and identify microbial contamination due to other characterization of typical colonies on EMB. pathogens. These stations are accessed by thousands of Apart from this biochemical characterization and growth on people travelling through local trains also called as life line specific media was checked of the other isolates obtained of Mumbai. The harmful pathogens and fecal coliforms from the water sample. are a major threat to human health hence such water testing methods carried out in present study become necessary. Publication History IMSaSnuNsc:r2ip2t 7R8ec-e5iv2e9d 9 : 2 0 J u n e 2 0 1 5 60 Manuscript Accepted : 24 June 2015 Revision Received : 26 June 2015 Manuscript Published : 30 June 2015 International Journal of Latest Research in Science and Technology. III. RESULTS D- COMPLETED TEST A -MPN The isolated organism on EMB was found to be Escherichia All the water samples had shown presence of coliforms the coli after biochemical characterization. Refer to TABLE 2 number was highest in the water sample from Thane station There were other isolates too obtained from water samples. as compared to Dadar and CST stations. The number Their morphological and biochemical characteristics are listed in TABLE 2 given below. decreased in winter season. Isolates Morphological I MR VP CU Screened Seasons No. of coliforms per 100ml of sample Characteristics Bacteria as Thane Dadar C.S.T 1 Non spore - - + + Pseudomonas Monsoon >1800 250 10 forming, Gram sp. Winter >1800 240 2 negative, short rods, slight green WHO standard: No. of coliforms per 100ml of sample shuld colonies on NA, not be more than 10. grown at 370C 2 Gram negative, - + - - Salmonella TABLE 1: MPN results motile, small, typhi discrete, circular, smooth, 1800 translucent and No.of 1600 colorless colony Org/100mL in on NA; light 1400 monsoon pink colony with 1200 distinct black No.of 1000 centre on XLD Org/100mL in agar, grown at 800 winter 370C. 600 A TSI tube inoculated at 400 °C for 24 37 200 hours results in a 0 red slant and yellow butt with Thane Dadar C.S.T black precipitate and some gas production. FIGURE 1: MPN results 3 Gram negative, + + - - Escherichia Circular, coli B- PRESUMPTIVE TEST: Slightly elevated with entire There were 3 tubes of lauryl tryptose broth used in triplicate margin, (total 9 tubes) for each sample with varying volume of Butyrous, Opaque, Pinkish sample blistering with metallic sheen Thane Dadar C.S.T colony on EMB Number of tubes giving positive (+) and agar, grown at negative (-) reactions 370C on NA Season + - + - + - (EMB: Eosin Methylene Blue; NA: Nutrient Agar; I: Indole Monsoon 9 0 6 3 2 7 test; MR: Methyl Red test; VP: Voges Prausker; CU: Citrate Winter 8 1 7 2 6 3 Utilization; XLD: Xylose Lysine Deoxycholate; TSI: Triple Sugar Iron agar) TABLE 1: Presumptive test results TABLE 2: Morphological and biochemical characteristics Positive tubes indicated presence of fecal coliforms. These samples were further needed to undergo confirmed test for IV. DISCUSSION confirmation. Water-borne diseases have been a potential threat in causing fulminating infections and diseases. The drinking C- CONFIRMED TEST water was found to be non potable when the potability tests BGLB:-Turbidity was seen in BGLB tubes of all samples were performed at many places in India like Gwalior city in ’s tube. with gas production in inverted Durham MP, railway stations of Amravati, Akola, Bhusawal, Nashik, Kasara and Mumbai, Dehradun city [4] [5] [6]. This COLONY CHARACTERISTICS: There were typical increased our concern towards the potability of drinking colonies observed on the EMB. Refer to TABLE 2 water available at the railway stations of the central line of ISSN:2278-5299 61 ’s suburbs, which is a cIonmtermnaotnio ntarla Jvoeulrlninalg o fr Loautteest Research in Science and Technology. Mumbai city REFERENCES to the many people including us. [1] J. Bartram and R. 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