Avijit Das1, Osul Ahmed Chowdhury2, Fahmi Iqbal Rabbi3, Yeasmin Nahar4, Mosammat Suchana Nazrin6
1. Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology, North East Medical College, Sylhet.
2. Principal, Park View Medical College, Sylhet.
3. Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology, North East Medical College, Sylhet.
4. Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology, North East Medical College, Sylhet.
5. Associate Professor, Department of Pathology, North East Medical College, Sylhet.
Abstract
The same as air and land, water is also an elementary resource of life. It is vital for all living organisms and major ecosystems, as well as for survival of mankind. It is essential to get a reliable supply of safe water, which should be free from pathogenic agents and harmful chemicals. Ensuring the safety of drinking water is one of the most fundamental and critical responsibilities of modern public health. For this reason drinking water and other public water supplies are essential to test regularly. This study was carried out in the department of Microbiology of Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College from 1st July 2006 to 30th June 2007 with the aim to analyze the bacteriological quality of water supplied in Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital. A total of 120 random samples of water collected from different points were studied. Water samples were collected according to the guideline of the World Health Organization. Multiple tube fermentation procedure was followed for presumptive coliform count and the presence of E.coli was confirmed by Eijkman test. It was found that, cent percent of samples were contaminated with faecal coliforms. Out of them E.coli was isolated from 83.3% samples. The result of the study is of enormous significance in enhancing awareness of health hazards of contaminated water and also in formulating effective policy to provide safe drinking water. It provides insight into the present deplorable state of hospital water quality that needs to be addressed urgently.
Key words: Faecal coliforms, E.coli, Drinking water