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Abstract For many reasons, water from wells and natural springs is still widely used in Morocco. 90 groundwater samples were analyzed to assess the health risks associated with its quality in the Ketama region, including physicochemical analyses such as pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, bicarbonates, and nitrates using standardized methods, as well as bacteriological analyses covering total coliforms, fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli and fecal streptococci utilizing the membrane filtration method. Assessment of groundwater physicochemical quality showed that 13.41% of samples had nitrate concentrations exceeding the maximum value set by the World Health Organization (45 mg/ L). In comparison, 12.16% of samples were slightly acidic (pH

For many reasons, water from wells and natural springs is still widely used in Morocco. 90 groundwater samples were analyzed to assess the health risks associated with its quality in the Ketama region, including physicochemical analyses such as pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, bicarbonates, and nitrates using standardized methods, as well as bacteriological analyses covering total coliforms, fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli and fecal streptococci utilizing the membrane filtration method. Assessment of groundwater physicochemical quality showed that 13.41% of samples had nitrate concentrations exceeding the maximum value set by the World Health Organization (45 mg/ L). In comparison, 12.16% of samples were slightly acidic (pH < 6.5). Bacteriological analyses of the groundwater showed that the water points studied are contaminated with total coliforms, faecal coliforms, Escherichia coli, and faecal streptococci at rates of 80%, 50%, 35%, and 36%, respectively. In conclusion, groundwater in the Ketama region presented potential risks for users, particularly regarding waterborne diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This study assessed nutrients and microbial contamination in water and soil samples from Chileka Township, Blantyre City, Malawi. Elevated total and fecal coliforms (1300 cfu/100 mL and 290 cfu/100 mL) in groundwater (GW), and (34,000 cfu/100 mL and 8000 cfu/100 mL) in surface water (SW) were found, representing a risk of exposure to water-borne disease. While the criteria in the Malawi Standard for raw groundwater was mostly met, water from only 20% of the boreholes complied with the WHO requirements. Nitrate (NO3 ─) and Cl─ (47.8 mg/L and 263 mg/L) exceeded the WHO limits in GW. Cadmium (Cd) occurred in a few cases at concentrations up to 0.217 mg/L and 0.138 mg/L in GW and SW. Lead (Pb) and Cr were below detection limits, while Mn (0.319 mg/L and 0.640 mg/L) in GW and SW, and Fe (6.92 mg/L) in SW compromised taste. Though bacteriologically unfit for raw consumption by humans, both GW and SW chemically met FAO-acceptable limits for irrigation, and standards for livestock watering. The NO3 ─ and PO4 3─ maximum concentrations in soil were 58.9 mg/kg and 506 mg/kg, respectively. Lead (Pb) and Cd were not detected whereas Cr, Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe in soil were 27.7 mg/kg, 190 mg/kg, 60.4 mg/kg, 1307 mg/kg and 6552 mg/kg, respectively. Magnesium (Mg), Ca, Na and K were 20,523 mg/kg, 22,334 mg/kg, 544 mg/kg and 5758 mg/kg, respectively in soil. The human health risk assessment results, on the other hand, showed that at least 30% (6 out of 20) of the GW samples and 60% (3 out 8) of the SW samples had HI > 1 for adults, children and infants, indicating existence of non-carcinogenic risk. Similarly, at least 15% (3 out 20) of the GW samples and 18% (1 out of 8) of the SW samples had CR > 0.001 for adults, children and infants, suggesting a risk of developing cancer during a lifetime due to Cd exposure. Though both GW and SW are generally of good chemical quality, chronic exposure to nitrate and cadmium is a health risk in the area. The current trace metal levels are not worrisome, but soil nitrate and phosphate may need regular monitoring.

Surface water is used by 50% of the global population as a source of drinking water. It is therefore important to have an understanding of the quality of surface water used for this purpose, given its potential risk to human health. We studied fecal indicator bacteria [FIB; comprising total coliforms (TC), Escherichia coli (EC) and fecal streptococci] numbers along with 28 other water quality variables in Hoa Binh reservoir, Vietnam during six sampling campaigns undertaken from July 2023 to January 2024. Hoa Binh is a multi-purpose reservoir used for aquaculture, drinking water for local cities and Hanoi, the capital, which is downstream of the reservoir, and irrigation. Of the measured FIB, the mean value of TC exceeded that permitted by the Vietnam technical regulation for surface freshwater, QCVN 08-MT:2023/BTNMT. The mean values of the other variables, except for total nitrogen, were within the limits, although the maximal values of total organic carbon and total phosphorus exceeded them. Different point sources, including those originating from the local human population, tourists, livestock farming and fish cage farming, and diffuse sources from agriculture, comprise the major sources of contamination of the reservoir. Due to the importance of Hoa Binh reservoir for the provision of drinking water for Hanoi, the largest city of Vietnam, our results indicate the need to regularly monitor the quality of the water in the reservoir to provide a scientific basis for the implementation of timely measures to protect it. Our results also contribute to filling the knowledge gap on the microbial quality of water in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed nutrients and microbial contamination in water and soil samples from Chileka Township, Blantyre City, Malawi. Elevated total and fecal coliforms (1300 cfu/100 mL and 290 cfu/100 mL) in groundwater (GW), and (34,000 cfu/100 mL and 8000 cfu/100 mL) in surface water (SW) were found, representing a risk of exposure to water-borne disease. While the criteria in the Malawi Standard for raw groundwater was mostly met, water from only 20% of the boreholes complied with the WHO requirements. Nitrate (NO3─) and Cl─ (47.8 mg/L and 263 mg/L) exceeded the WHO limits in GW. Cadmium (Cd) occurred in a few cases at concentrations up to 0.217 mg/L and 0.138 mg/L in GW and SW. Lead (Pb) and Cr were below detection limits, while Mn (0.319 mg/L and 0.640 mg/L) in GW and SW, and Fe (6.92 mg/L) in SW compromised taste. Though bacteriologically unfit for raw consumption by humans, both GW and SW chemically met FAO-acceptable limits for irrigation, and standards for livestock watering. The NO3─ and PO43─ maximum concentrations in soil were 58.9 mg/kg and 506 mg/kg, respectively. Lead (Pb) and Cd were not detected whereas Cr, Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe in soil were 27.7 mg/kg, 190 mg/kg, 60.4 mg/kg, 1307 mg/kg and 6552 mg/kg, respectively. Magnesium (Mg), Ca, Na and K were 20,523 mg/kg, 22,334 mg/kg, 544 mg/kg and 5758 mg/kg, respectively in soil. The human health risk assessment results, on the other hand, showed that at least 30% (6 out of 20) of the GW samples and 60% (3 out 8) of the SW samples had HI > 1 for adults, children and infants, indicating existence of non-carcinogenic risk. Similarly, at least 15% (3 out 20) of the GW samples and 18% (1 out of 8) of the SW samples had CR > 0.001 for adults, children and infants, suggesting a risk of developing cancer during a lifetime due to Cd exposure. Though both GW and SW are generally of good chemical quality, chronic exposure to nitrate and cadmium is a health risk in the area. The current trace metal levels are not worrisome, but soil nitrate and phosphate may need regular monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Drinking water contaminated by pathogenic micro-organisms increases the risk of infectious gastrointestinal disease which could potentially lead to acute kidney injury and even death, particularly amongst the young and the elderly. Earlier studies have shown a substantial reduction in the incidence of diarrheal disease over a period of one year using a polysulfone membrane water gravity-powered water filtration device. The current report is a continuation of these studies to assess the long-term effects of the innovative method on diarrheal incidence rates over a 4-year follow-up period. This follow-up study monitored the trend of self-reported diarrheal events in all households in the previously studied villages for 5 months, in the last half of each study year, using the same questionnaire utilized in the earlier study. Three villages that had no device yet installed served as controls. We computed monthly diarrheal incidence rates for all study years (standardized to per 100 person-months) and compared these to the pre-device incidence rate in 2018 and in the control group, using the Wilcoxon rank sum exact test. The average diarrheal incidence rates of 1.5 p100pm in 2019, 2.19 p100pm in 2021, and 0.54p100pm in 2022 were significantly different from an earlier study that reported 17.8 p100pm rates before the devices were installed in 2018, (all p-values

Freshwater bodies receive waste, feces, and fecal microorganisms from agricultural, urban, and natural activities. In this study, the probable sources of fecal contamination were determined. Also, antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) were detected in the two main rivers of central Chile. Surface water samples were collected from 12 sampling sites in the Maipo (n = 8) and Maule Rivers (n = 4) every 3 months, from August 2017 until April 2019. To determine the fecal contamination level, fecal coliforms were quantified using the most probable number (MPN) method and the source of fecal contamination was determined by Microbial Source Tracking (MST) using the Cryptosporidium and Giardia genotyping method. Separately, to determine if antimicrobial resistance bacteria (AMB) were present in the rivers, Escherichia coli and environmental bacteria were isolated, and the antibiotic susceptibility profile was determined. Fecal coliform levels in the Maule and Maipo Rivers ranged between 1 and 130 MPN/100-ml, and 2 and 30,000 MPN/100-ml, respectively. Based on the MST results using Cryptosporidium and Giardia host-specific species, human, cattle, birds, and/or dogs hosts were the probable sources of fecal contamination in both rivers, with human and cattle host-specific species being more frequently detected. Conditional tree analysis indicated that coliform levels were significantly associated with the river system (Maipo versus Maule), land use, and season. Fecal coliform levels were significantly (p

IntroductionRapid urbanization in coastal areas worldwide, combined with intense precipitation events and coastal flooding exacerbated by climate change, poses an existential challenge for many coastal communities. Floodwater in coastal urban areas contains non-point source pollutants, such as trace metals and fecal coliforms, but the presence of fecal coliforms resistant to antibiotics poses an additional threat to human health and has yet to be reported.MethodsIn this study, floodwater samples were collected from four locations in Charleston, SC, a medium-sized coastal city in the southeastern United States. All sites were impacted by flooding: two by tidal and rainfall flooding, one by tidal flooding, and one by stormwater runoff. Since ampicillin is a commonly-prescribed antibiotic for both humans and animals, this study aimed to analyze the patterns of ampicillin-resistant coliform (AmpRC) concentrations as correlated to flood-source and land-use patterns.ResultsFloodwater from all areas contained AmpRC and trace metals, with varying contaminant concentrations based on the flood source. No correlations were observed between coliform and trace metal concentrations. Analysis of land-use patterns demonstrated a positive correlation between percent coverage of impervious surfaces and coliform concentrations at all the sites.DiscussionOverall, the results suggest that land-use patterns increase the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant coliforms and increase the likelihood of human exposure to these potential pathogens. Climate change is expected to exacerbate the presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in floodwater generated from rainfall and tidal flooding in coastal cities. Cities like Charleston, SC are experiencing rapid urbanization and increased coastal flooding, making this research particularly relevant.

Mahabad dam was constructed to supply drinking water, irrigation, and electricity generation on the Mahabad river located West Azerbaijan, Mahabad. In this research, bacterial contamination of the water of mahabad dam was investigated. According to the geographical properties of the reservoir, 3 stations (near the dam crest, Koter branch, and Bitas branch) were selected and samples were taken via Rottner from different depths of the reservoir during 12 months. Bacterial contamination (Total Coliforms, Fecal Coliforms, and Fecal Streptococci) were studied after transferring the samples to laboratory. Results indicated that values of Total Coliforms, Fecal Coliforms, and Fecal Streptococci were varied between 2.33 ± 1.20 and 1166.67 ± 33.33, 0.0 and 30.33 ± 6.74 and 0.0 ± 16.67 ± 6.33 MPN/100 ml respectively during over all the year. These values were in the allowed range according to the drinking water and recreation standards of Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In recent times, the consumption of bottled water has dramatically increased in Sri Lanka. However, compliance by the producers with the bottled water regulations is debatable, which poses questions about bottled water quality. This study aimed at evaluating the microbiological quality of bottled water in the Colombo district, Sri Lanka. Twenty-six brands of drinking water were collected from the Colombo district (19 locations) microbial quality was detected by checking the total coliforms (TC), fecal coliforms (FC), heterotrophic bacteria, fungi and algae. The results revealed that 50 % of drinking water brands violated the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) and WHO guidelines, and the Sri Lanka Health Ministry regulation (0 cfu/100 ml). Twenty-three percent of brands exceeded the limits for presumptive FC (0 cfu/100 ml in accordance with WHO guidelines, SLSI, and the Sri Lanka Health Ministry requirement). Moreover, 35% showed higher heterotrophic bacteria which exceeded the WHO guidelines (50 cfu/ml). The dominant fungi found in the bottled water were Aspergillus spp., Rhizopus sp., Trichoderma sp. and Mucor sp. Chlorella vulgaris was identified as the algal species that was present in the drinking water samples and it was 8 % of the samples checked. Additionally, the statistical analysis of water sources revealed no significant differences in the levels of fecal and total coliforms in samples across springs, tube wells, and dug wells. However, the tube wells have a significant difference in HPC and algae than dug wells and springs. The findings of this study concluded that the bottled water industry needs to be closely supervised by competent authorities to provide customers with more healthy bottled water in Sri Lanka.

Purpose The effect of different initial carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratios on the prevalence of Salmonella spp., fecal coliforms and helminth eggs over composts produced from several mixtures of maize straw (S) and dairy manure (M) was investigated. Method Four C/N ratios (21, 22, 27, and 38) were evaluated, including one with manure only (C/N 21). The composting process was performed under field conditions in northern Mexico. Results The process lasted 51 days; Salmonella spp. was reduced 1â2 log (>â94%) in most treatments, except for the C/N ratio of 27 which achievedââ99%) in all treatments while helminth eggs achievedâ

Grand Lake St Marys (GLSM) is one of the most hypereutrophic lakes in North America and was officially declared distressed in 2011 as a result of excess nutrient runoff from primarily agricultural cropland and livestock facilities. Concurrently, the watershed has also struggled with excessive fecal coliform loads most evident by the routine public warnings regarding colony counts in GLSM. This study evaluated in stream trends and the potential for reconstructed wetlands along Coldwater Creek to reduce coliforms in the watershed. Non-Escherichia coli coliforms in Coldwater Creek showed a seasonal pattern, with a winter low coincident with the distressed watershed winter ban on manure application. E. coli coliform loads did not show the same seasonal pattern, but may have been offset by wildlife fecal inputs. When water flowed into the wetland, concentrations of total coliforms were reduced by 40%, mainly driven by residence time. When the wetland was a net sink, it reduced E. coli by 71% and non-E. coli coliforms by 51%. Unfortunately, it also served as a source for total coliforms 4 weeks of the year. Treating all tributaries into GLSM would require the equivalent of ~ 20× the current wetland area in the watershed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This work aimed to evaluate the microbiological safety of bioinputs produced in Mexico. The main reason for this evaluation is that bioinputs are products made from the region's manures, plant residues and raw materials. The transformation of these raw materials is carried out by microorganisms present. The process goes through three stages: initial, thermophilic and final. The thermophilic stage is critical because weeds and microorganisms with pathogenic potential disappear in processes under optimal conditions. Methodology: 1345 bioinputs samples were received from different states of Mexico. The samples were evaluated for the presence of total and fecal coliforms and Escherichia coli under the provisions of the Official Mexican STANDARDS, NOM-210-SSA1-2014 and NOM-114-SSA1-1994. Results: It was possible to identify 79% of the samples with Most Probable Number values <3 of total coliforms, fecal coliforms and Escherichia coli, the minimum permissible by the Official Mexican STANDARD NOM-210-SSA1-2014, also identified 99% of samples free of Salmonella. Conclusions: The results obtained allow us to conclude that the bioinputs produced in Mexico are free of pathogens for humans, which can also be represented as innocuous bioinputs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Communities in semi-arid lands use sand dams to enhance access water during the dry seasons. However, there is limited information on the quality of water derived from these sand dams, especially in degraded lands where storm surface runoff poses contamination risk. Thus, this study aimed at assessing the spatial–temporal variations in water quality of sand dams in Chepareria, West Pokot County in Kenya. Water samples were collected from scooping holes across 18 purposefully selected sand dams. Results obtained showed significant differences in water quality based on a sand dam's age and location of the scooping holes, but the magnitude of these differences differed with specific properties. For instance, in recently constructed sand dams (<1 year), scooping holes near the sand dam wall had lower pH values (8.5) than holes scooped a distance from the sand dam wall (9.2). For total dissolved solutes and microbial properties, sand dam age had the greatest impact, over the location of the scooping holes. For example, water obtained from <1 year old sand dams had significantly higher TDS with an average value of 100.3 mg L−1. The thermotolerant coliforms (TTC) exceeded the maximum allowable levels recommended by The World Health Organization. Thus, water obtained from these sand dams should be treated before consumption. Finally, sand dams meant for domestic water harvesting should be protected. Shallow wells with appropriate aprons for effective protection against contamination should be installed to enhance abstraction of safe water from sand dams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to assess water resources' quality, biology, and suitability for different uses at some localities in the Dakhla Oasis in Egypt. Thirty-nine groundwater samples represent the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer with different depths, and 7 surface water samples represent wastewater lakes and canals. Major ions, total salinity, Na%, SAR, EC, RSC, PI, MH, KR, SSP, and Cl− are used for the assessment of the water for different uses. It has been found that all groundwater samples of the study area are suitable for different purposes. Where the values of pH, major ions, TH, and TDS are below the permissible limit, this water is free of fecal coliforms. Based on the findings, the groundwater samples are generally suitable for drinking, with the exception of elevated levels of Fe2+ and Mn2+ concentrations that exceed the permissible limits. These elements can be treated to meet drinking water standards. The water samples from lakes and canals are not suitable for different purposes where these values are over the permissible limit and biologically contain fecal coliforms. According to the quality map, the groundwater in the area of study is excellent for drinking, livestock, and poultry and highly suitable for industrial purposes; and high to low suitable for irrigation purposes. However, lakes and canal water are not suitable for drinking, for livestock and poultry, industry, or for irrigation. The study reveals that there is a chance of an increase in total dissolved solids of wastewater in the lakes and canals which may pose a risk to soils in the study area. The present study recommends the necessity of finding a quick solution to the wastewater lakes which leads to the loss of large quantities of water and land due to salinization processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the blend of enzymes, organic catalysts, and probiotics on the water quality of Pasig River and to determine its sustainability to aquatic life. The effects of varying the dosage of the mixture were also identified. The data observed were compared to the standard for fishery water set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). On-site application results were analyzed using paired t-test. All parameters were normally distributed. Temperature, phosphate, and BOD measures were significantly changed at (p

The Yamuna River is a threatened resource of freshwater in Delhi, India. The present study is focused on investigating three important contaminants, namely microplastics (MPs), heavy metals, and fecal coliforms in the surface water of the river, with major emphasis on MPs occurrence and characterization. MPs showed an increase in abundance in the river from the Wazirabad barrage (n = 500 MPs/m3) to the Okhla barrage downstream (n = 3,900 MPs/m3) in Delhi, with a maximum abundance downstream to the Najafgarh and Shahdara drain outfalls. White color and fragmented shape were prevalent characteristics of the isolated MPs. Attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy revealed five types of polymers. Heavy metals (chromium, lead, manganese, and iron) and fecal coliforms were at unacceptable levels at most of the sampling sites. Due to the emergence of issues concerning the tendency of MPs to actively interact with heavy metals and pathogenic microorganisms, investigation of the co-occurrence of such harmful pollutants is very important. The present study is aimed at this issue and urges similar kinds of investigations in other riverine regions of our country, as well as globally, due to their scarcity in literature. This study can further provide a baseline database to help the Government of India's efforts to clean and revive the Delhi stretch of the Yamuna River. HIGHLIGHTS Microplastics (MPs) were prevalent across the Yamuna River stretch with a mean abundance of 1.78 × 103 MPs/m3.; MPs were most abundant near the wastewater discharge points of the Najafgarh and Shahdara drains.; In addition to MPs, the presence of co-contaminants like heavy metals and fecal coliforms in the study area was also a serious concern.; Co-contaminant interactions may disturb the balance of several biological systems.;

Copyright of Health & Society is the property of Instituto de Ensino e Pesquisa Periodicojs and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Wastewater management is a critical issue globally. In Florida, the importance of this issue is heightened by the proximity to sensitive ecosystems. Distributed wastewater treatment units (DWTU) are a recent, state-approved alternative to septic system conversions to centralized sewer infrastructure. In this study, the performance of a DWTU was tested at a new residence in Lake Hamilton, FL. A monitoring well was installed downgradient of the DWTU absorption field to establish baseline groundwater conditions prior to occupation of the residence. The residence was occupied, after which groundwater, DWTU influent, and effluent samples were collected. Many effluent parameters significantly decreased compared to influent, including ammonia (NH3; 97%), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN; 95%), total nitrogen (TN; 88%), the TN:TP ratio (84%), fecal coliforms (92%), carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand (CBOD; 96%), and total suspended solids (TSS; 96%). In the groundwater, nutrient concentrations initially increased compared to the baseline data, but eventually decreased, demonstrating that the DWTU was effective at improving quality of wastewater effluent. These systems could be especially effective in sensitive areas where advanced wastewater treatment has been mandated or is needed. HIGHLIGHTS A distributed wastewater treatment unit was installed and studied at a residence in Florida.; The distributed wastewater treatment unit significantly improved water quality of the residential wastewater effluent.; 97% of ammonia, 88% of TN, and 92% of fecal coliforms were removed from effluent.; Downgradient groundwater quality was better protected from wastewater contamination.;

The lack of hygiene in the preparation and packing of ready-to-eat foods becoming a serious public health concern especially in school-aged children due to the intervention of different pathogenic microorganisms which pose risk factors for foodborne disease outbreaks. The present study was designed to assess the bacterial contamination in different types of ready-to-eat branded and un-branded snacks purchased in various elementary schools of district Peshawar, Pakistan. A total of 20 samples were collected from various elementary schools located in Peshawar, Pakistan. The samples were analyzed using the pour plate method for total plate counts (TPC) and the multiple fermentation tube method for total coliforms (TC), and fecal coliforms (FC). The Escherichia coli isolates were identified using E. coli O157:H7 latex test reagent kit Pro Lab. Canada. The results revealed total plate counts of 6.67%, total coliforms bacteria 40%, fecal coliforms bacteria 33.33%, and E. coli 20% of samples, which were higher than the permissible limits. The conclusion of this study revealed that there is a practice gap in food safety knowledge among ready-to-eat foods. Ready-to-eat vendors are usually illiterate, and they lack knowledge of proper hygiene and food handling procedures. The government should pay special attention to improving public awareness of food safety and the quality of ready-to-eat foods sold in Peshawar, Pakistan.

Static facultative composting is one of the most widely-used, cost-effective, lightweight, and simple technologies to utilize local resources in modern agriculture. More than 60% of livestock and poultry manure (especially pig manure) can be treated using static composting. Static facultative composting can also create an aerobic environment with low porosity and limited depth of air diffusion within the heap, resulting in the low metabolic activity of microorganisms. Degradation of organic matter can be inevitably delayed, due to the long fermentation cycles, low fermentation temperatures, incomplete harmlessness, and low product maturity. Alternatively, the straw can be added to adjust the physical structure, oxygen content, and C/N ratios of the heap, in order to effectively improve the rot degree of static facultative compost products for the short rot cycle. This study aims to explore the effects of straw control on the maturity and microbial community structure of static facultative composting, especially on pathogenic bacteria. The corn straw was taken to regulate the physical structure and C/N ratio of the pile. A 90-day static facultative composting experiment was conducted using traditional natural fermentation. A systematic investigation was made to clarify the maturation index, fecal coliforms, and microbial community structure in the static facultative composting. The composting device was set as a 100 L flanged iron hoop bucket. Two treatments were set up in total. The control group was set without pig manure to label as the P treatment. The mixed compost of pig manure and corn straw was labeled as the PC treatment. The wet base mass ratio of 4:1 was selected without ventilation and heap turning. The results showed that the straw regulation increased the porosity of the compost (increased by 19.41%), and then promoted the diffusion of oxygen to the interior of the compost for the better degradation of organic matter by aerobic microorganisms. Specifically, the contents of phytotoxic substances were reduced (such as NH4+ -N and DTN) to improve the compost maturity. The seed germination indexes were 40.84% (P) and 114.60% (PC), respectively, in the two groups of compost products. As such, the compost maturation was accelerated during this time. The number of fecal coliforms reached the hygienic safety standard after 30 to 40 days of natural fermentation. Furthermore, the activity of fecal coliforms depended on the temperature of the pile, NH4+ -N, and organic acid content. The corn straw was added to improve the diversity of bacteria and synergistic effect. Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, and other phylum related to lignocellulosic degradation were the dominant microbial phylum in the reactor, where the aerobic, facultative, and anaerobic microbial stratification was formed from the aerobic to anaerobic bacteria from the top to the bottom. Therefore, the corn straw regulation can be expected to increase the aerobic area of the pile in the process of static composting. The harmless and mature degree can be promoted in the static composting of pig manure. The finding can provide the theoretical basis and technical standardization support for the static composting of livestock and poultry manure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Buenaventura Bay is facing severe pollution due to the direct discharge of untreated wastewater from 695 outlets along the coast, which serves 500,000 people. To address this issue, a study was conducted using the RMA11 water quality model, which was previously calibrated and validated, coupled with the RMA10 3D hydrodynamic model to assess sanitation scenarios in the bay. Five effluent reduction scenarios were proposed and compared based on fecal coliform concentration as an indicator, with evaluation also based on areas where fecal coliform concentrations exceeded the standard for primary contact. The model results revealed poor water quality in the bay, indicating that immediate action was necessary to prevent further deterioration. The proposed staged reduction in discharges would initially have more severe effects than the current situation, but this would improve when the treatment plant became operational. However, even with the plant in operation, the complete sanitation of the bay cannot be achieved, and further measures are required. This study emphasizes the urgent need for effective and sustainable measures to improve water quality in Buenaventura Bay and demonstrates the usefulness of the modeling approach in identifying effective sanitation scenarios to achieve this goal. The results highlight the need for a comprehensive management strategy to tackle pollution in the bay and provide insights for other regions facing similar challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to its location, Puck Bay is an area particularly vulnerable to pollution of anthropogenic origin. The aim of the study was to assess the water quality of small watercourses entering the inner part of Puck Bay. The paper presents the results of chemical and microbiological analyses of 10 rivers and canals at their estuaries located on the western shore of the internal Puck Bay. The following environmental parameters were analyzed: conductivity, pH, dissolved oxygen concentration (in situ measurements), COD (cuvette tests), concentrations of ions (ion chromatography). Microbiological analysis included assessment of sanitary condition based on the number of fecal coliforms by a cultivation method. The determination of basic microbiological parameters such as: prokaryotic cell abundance expressed as total cells number (TCN), prokaryotic cell biovolume expressed as average cell volume (ACV), the prokaryotic biomass (PB) and prokaryotic cell morphotype diversity were determined using epifluorescence microscopy method. Based on the obtained results, it was found that small watercourses may carry a notable load of anthropogenic pollution and thus affect the environment of Puck Bay. The results clearly indicate the need for quality monitoring in the rivers and canals in the Coastal Landscape Park, flowing into Puck Bay. The research showed that also smaller watercourses may have an impact on the coastal waters’ state, and thus on the Baltic Sea water quality.

This study describes the quality of drinking water sampled over 2 years (2018 and 2019) from 20 ASADAS (Spanish acronym for Administrative Associations for Water and Sewer Systems) in Costa Rica. The analysis included Rotavirus (RV), somatic coliphages, fecal coliforms, and Escherichia coli. The ASADAS were categorized into three regions as temperate rainy (region 1), tropical rainy (region 2), and tropical rainy and dry (region 3) according to biogeographic classification. The concentrations of fecal coliforms and E. coli were higher in samples from surface water sources from the ASADAS in region 3 compared to regions 1 and 2. RV-positive samples (24/296) were detected in drinking-water samples from regions 2 and 3 during dry and transition seasons, with higher concentrations more frequently in the dry season. In addition, somatic coliphages were detected in samples from the three regions, with higher concentrations in region 2. Furthermore, a statistically significant relationship was found between somatic coliphages and diarrheal cases, classified as outbreaks or alerts in the region. Thus, the results confirmed that somatic coliphages are a good indicator of the presence of diarrhea cases in a specific region. HIGHLIGHTS Rotaviruses (RVs) are frequent waterborne pathogens.; Fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli, somatic coliphages, and RV were analyzed from drinking-water samples in Costa Rica.; A significant relationship was found between somatic coliphages and diarrheal cases.; Somatic coliphages are considered a good indicator of diarrhea-causing pathogens in a specific region.;

This study characterized microbiological and chemical contamination of oyster meat and estuarine water in Phang Nga, Thailand. Pooled oyster meats (n = 144), estuarine waters (n = 96) and environmental parameters were collected from March, 2016 to February, 2017, and assessed for levels of total coliforms (TC), fecal coliforms (FC), Escherichia coli (EC), and Vibrio parahaemolyticus (VP), presence of Salmonella and Shigella and levels of heavy metals (Mn, Pb and Cd). The prevalence of TC, FC and EC were in 99.3%, 94.4% and 93.1% of oyster meat and 94.8%, 79.2%, and 78.1% of water, respectively. The average VP levels was 8.5 × 10⁷ most probable number (MPN)/g oyster. Prevalence of Shigella and Salmonella in the pooled oysters were 7.6% and 30.6%, respectively. The dominant Salmonella serovars were Paratyphi B followed by Seremban, and Kentucky. In contrast, the prevalence of Shigella were 27.1%, but Salmonella was not detected in estuarine water. Factors statistically associated with EC accumulation in oyster were level of FC, 7-day average precipitation, temperature, relative humidity, and presence of Salmonella in the sample. The optimal cutoff value of EC to predict Salmonella in oyster was 420 MPN/g. Results indicate this area has relatively safe levels of heavy metals, whereas bacterial contamination was very high for oysters.

Humanity faces serious problems due to water scarcity, and the reuse of treated wastewaters is a viable alternative to have water for various uses, including irrigation. In this research, the efficiency of chlorine disinfection in municipal wastewaters treated by a combined anaerobic-aerobic biological system was evaluated. For this, six different treatments (T) were applied, considering the contact time (20 and 30 min) and the dose (10, 30 and 40~mg(l) The density of total (TCB) and fecal (FCB) coliform bacteria before disinfection of the treated water was 2.8x10 MPN/100 ml, for both parameters, achieving a decrease to 4.10x103. 3.00x102 and 2.40x102 MPN/100 ml TCB and to 2.10x101 2.20x102 and 2.30x102 MPN/100 ml FCB with treatments T4 (30 mg/1 and 30 min), TS (40 mg/1 and 20 min) and T6 (40~me/l) and 30 min), respectively, resulting in removals greater than 99.9 %. These levels of bacteria comply with permissible limits of national regulations for water intended for irrigation of crops (except vegetables for human consumption) and livestock use. Chlorine disinfection processes are an efficient alternative in the conditioning of treated wastewaters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Groundwater is heavily exploited for a variety of uses. Depending on their structure, the wells from which water is extracted can act as an entry point/gateway for a variety of microbiological contaminants, which can cause numerous adverse health effects. This study aimed to identify the microorganisms present in the groundwater in the Western Amazonian city of Porto Velho, using a methodology that can be deployed in other city centers. We collected 74 water samples from both dug and drilled wells in March, August and November 2018. Total coliforms were detected in 96% of dug wells and 74% of drilled wells. Thermotolerant coliforms were found in 90% of dug wells and 61% of drilled wells. Biochemical identification indicated 15 genera of bacteria. The genera Escherichia, Enterobacter, Cronobacter and Citrobacter had the highest prevalence. The genera Pseudomonas and Enterococcus were also detected. Thermotolerant coliforms showed higher values when the water flow was higher. Our results indicate high fecal contamination and higher susceptibility to contaminants in shallow wells compared to deep wells. These findings reflect the precariousness of WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) services and the importance of effective actions to combat groundwater degradation, improve the quality of the environment, and protect public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The area of the Coastal Landscape Park (CLP) due to its location is extremely attractive touristi carea. In the summer season, a significant increase in population density is observed, which influences surface water quality. Large numbers of tourists generate an increased amount of municipal wastewater, being treated in local treatment plants and discharged into rivers and streams. The paper presents preliminary research from summer 2016 on three watercourses ending in the Baltic Sea: Piaśnica, Karwianka and Czarna Wda rivers. It is a part of a long-term project conducted in CLP to assess surface waters quality. The scope of research included measurements of in situ parameters (temperature, conductivity, pH, dissolved oxygen). Chemical Oxygen Demand was determined using a spectrophotometer. Ion chromatography was used to determine ions concentrations (including biogenic compounds). Sanitary state of watercourses was assessed based on fecal coliforms abundance, which number was determined by the cultivation method. The determination of microbiological parameters such as: prokaryotic cell abundance expressed as total cells number (TCN), prokaryotic cell biovolume expressed as average cell volume (ACV), the prokaryotic biomass (PB) and prokaryotic cell morphotype diversity was determined using epifluorescence microscopy method. Results showed that water quality of Piaśnica and Czarna Wda rivers were affected by discharged treated wastewater. In the case of Karwianka River, the main pollution source could be surface runoff from fields and unregulated sewage management in this area. The conducted research confirmed the urgent need for better protection of this area to conserve both its ecosystem and value for tourism.

A titanium (Ti) commercial cathode material and high purity Ar and O2 were used in the cathodic arc physical vapor deposition (arc-PVD) process. The TiOx coating was deposited on the three sets of Raschig rings using decreasing ratios of Ar/O2:440/60, 400/100 and 300/100. The cross sections of the TiOx PVD coating were analyzed using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). A homogeneous layer of Ti with small O content was observed, and the data suggest that a thin TiOx oxide film was deposited. For this reason, a thermal treatment was applied to the coating to oxidize it and form the rutile phase of TiO2 in the coating, which was demonstrated by grazing incidence XRD. In addition, the TiOx coatings absorb radiation, which was observed by diffuse reflectance band gap energy measurement. Silver (Ag) was added by the photo-reduction method, using UVC light to activate the TiO2 coating, and the band gap energy was analyzed by diffuse reflectance. The photocatalytic activities of the films were evaluated by degradation of the model dye rhodamine B and in the removal of fecal coliforms using two matrices, water from a secondary treatment effluent, and synthetic water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coliforms generally are pointer to possible fecal contamination and reflect the hygienic standards of cheese processing. To determine the chemical and microbiological quality of some traditional Egyptian white soft cheese, a total of 200 samples represented by Tallaga, Feta, Baramili and Istamboli (50 samples each) were collected randomly from supermarkets, dairy shops and street-vendors in Giza Governorate, Egypt. Chemically; the averages of pH value and NaCl% in the examined cheese were 6.354, 3.732%; 5.018, 7.0%; 3.441, 6.702% and 4.465, 5.94% for Tallaga, Feta, Baramili and Istamboli cheese, respectively. Microbiologically; Coliforms, faecal Coliforms and Escherichia coli (E.coli) bacteria were detected in 86, 76 and 60% of Tallaga cheese, 64, 54 and 32% of Feta cheese, 88, 68 and 50% of Baramili cheese and 78, 64 and 54% of Istamboli cheese, respectively. The average Coliforms count was 1.3x104, 1.2x10³, 6.5x10³ and 3.6x10³ cfu/g, while, the fecal Coliforms average values were 2.1×10³, 3.1×10², 1.2×10³ and 6.3×10² cfu/g and E.coli average was 2.7x10², 1.8x10², 2.9x10² and 1.2x10² cfu/g for the examined samples, respectively. Serological identifications of the isolated E.coli revealed that 14, 6, 12 and 8% out of all examined cheese samples were pathogenic. The most relevant detected serotypes in cheese were related to enterohemorrhagic (EHEC) and enterotoxigenic (ETEC) strains. Also, enteroinvasive (EIEC) and enteropathogenic (EPEC) related serotypes have been detected in some examined cheese samples. The Coliforms content and incidence of different pathogenic E.coli serotypes reflect the poor hygienic conditions of manufacturing and absence of microbial load elimination. It could be concluded from the obtained results that there is a lack of a standardized method for production and keeping quality of white soft cheese. So, it's suggested to apply strict hygienic measures during all stages of white soft cheese production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ISO/IEC 17025: 2017 requires laboratories to verify the performance of methods before introducing them. ISO 16140-3: 2021 employs LOD50 (the level of detection for which 50％ of tests give a positive result) as an index for evaluating the performance of microbial qualitative methods. While fecal coliforms and Staphylococcus aureus qualitative methods are widely implemented in Japan, their LOD50 values have not been established, making performance evaluation of these methods impossible at the time of introduction. As a result, we looked into estimating the LOD50 values of fecal coliforms and S. aureus qualitative methods to evaluate the index of method performance. The fecal coliforms method had an LOD50 value of 19‒31 CFU/mL and the S. aureus method had an LOD50 value of 29‒49 CFU/mL by laboratory personnels using samples without food matrix. We estimated LOD50 of six food samples using each method in a single laboratory. The LOD50 values of all foods calculated using the fecal coliforms method were in the range of 14‒27 CFU/g and those calculated using the S. aureus method were in the range of 25‒ 48 CFU/g, indicating that these methods did not have low levels of sensitivity detection compared with skill variation. LOD50 values for food samples with the highest or lowest LOD50 in each method were compared among five laboratories. Because the estimated LOD50 values of both the methods were within four times of each laboratory result, which is the acceptable limit specified in ISO 16140-3: 2021, they were assumed to be suitable values. This study is expected to be utilized as a benchmark in the verification of method performance in each laboratory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wastewater contamination threatens the shellfish aquaculture industry by posing risks to public health. Multiple indicators of wastewater contamination, including fecal coliforms (fc), male-specific coliphage (MSC), dissolved nutrients, stable isotope ratios, and artificial sweeteners were analyzed to determine possible sources of wastewater to local shellfish farms. Samples were collected at a wastewater treatment plant outfall (WTPO), nonpoint residential, and agricultural areas of a tidal river, and tidal creek inflows adjacent to farms. To capture seasonal variation, we sampled under warm and cold, and wet and dry conditions. Fc ranged < 5–5250 CFU 100 mL−1, NH4+ concentrations ranged up to 9.58 μM, and δ15N ranged 1.4–7.8‰ across all sites and time periods. Fc and NH4+ were higher, and δ15N was lower in the cold wet period and near residential and agricultural areas. Acesulfame and sucralose concentrations ranged 0.004–0.05 μg L−1 and up to > 0.8 μg L−1, respectively, and did not correlate with other indicators but tended to be higher in residential areas and at the WTPO, supporting their value in differentiating human sewage from other sources. Shoreline disturbance during septic system upgrades may have inadvertently contributed bacterial indicators to shellfish farms. Overall, indicator source dominance depended on environmental conditions, with WTPO and residential sources conveying human-specific indicators to farms year-round, while agricultural and industrial sites contributed additional fc during cold wet periods. The use of multiple indicators will aid managers to detect and define wastewater sources, identify targets for monitoring or remediation, and manage shellfish areas in estuaries with a mosaic of land-derived wastewater sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sewage sludge (wastewater treatment solids) is an organic and nutrient resource that is generated during wastewater treatment and is utilized as biosolids in landfills, fertilizer, or compost it requires treatment to reduce the microbial load and the concentration of organic matter and pollutants such as metals. Aerobic digestion has been used for the stabilization of sewage sludge, and the use of biodiscs has been limited to primary sewage rather than sewage sludge. Therefore, this paper shows that the primary sewage sludge from a previously sonicated municipal sewage treatment plant can be stabilized using a spiral support biodisc, which is shown to be an effective mechanism with which to reduce the concentration of pathogenic microorganisms in residual sludge and also reduce the concentration of organic carbon, ammonia-nitrogen (NH3-N), and soluble phosphorus. The experimental results using the spiral support biodisc are better compared to those using the conventional biodisc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the United States (U.S.), state agencies in charge of mariculture regulation are mandated under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP) to monitor fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) concentrations, commonly of fecal coliforms, to determine the safety of coastal waters for supporting harvestable shellfish for human consumption. Many states have monitored bacteriological water quality for decades, creating impressive long-term records with the potential to advance foundational understanding of coastal systems and contribute to other complementary monitoring efforts. However, state shellfish sanitation programs differ in how they collect, manage, and share bacteriological monitoring data, resulting in their data typically being available in disparate state-level repositories with non-standardized database structures. Here, we outline three key recommendations as to how shellfish sanitation programs could implement practices to make their data more Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR), in turn creating new opportunities for the full potential of the data to be realized. We also offer sample materials of a standardized database, ShellBase, to provide an example of how diverse shellfish sanitation data may be integrated with a common data structure.

One hundred and fifty random samples of soft cheeses represented by Domiati, Kareish and Tallaga (50 samples each) were collected from different local retails, dairy shops and street vendors in Assiut city, Egypt, for microbiological evaluation. Aerobic bacteria were enumerated with average count values of 4.2×104, 2.6×105 and 6.1×104 cfu/g in Domiati, Kareish and Tallaga cheese, respectively. Coliforms were detected with average count values of 8.5X102, 3.3X103 and 2.0X103 cfu/g in Domiati, Kareish and Tallaga cheese, respectively. Fecal coliforms were detected with average count values of 5.3x102, 9.7x102 and 8.4x102 cfu/g in Domiati, Kareish and Tallaga cheese, respectively. Isolation of E. coli in 32, 50 and 42 % samples that were examined with average count values of 3.0X102, 4.0X102 and 4.4X102 cfu/g in Domiati, Kareish and Tallaga cheese, respectively. Isolation of Staph. aureus in 74, 72 and 64 % samples that were examined with average count values of 1.8x103, 1.7x103 and 8.7x102 cfu/g in Domiati, Kareish and Tallaga cheese, respectively. Anaerobic bacteria were found in 46, 66 and 54% in Domiati, Kareish and Tallaga cheese samples, respectively. Yeasts and molds were present with average count values of 2.3x102, 5.4x102 and 8.2x102 cfu/g and 3.8x102, 4.1x102 and 3.9x102 cfu/g in Domiati, Kareish and Tallaga cheese, respectively. The results reflect the poor general hygiene conditions during production and storage which call for more restriction and preventive measures in milk herds, milk production and dairy factories in respect to quality control, sanitation and health care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In this work, a cylindrical flow-through electro-Fenton reactor containing graphite felt electrodes and an Fe(II) loaded resin was evaluated for the production of the Fenton reaction mixture and for the degradation of amoxicillin (AMX) and fecal coliforms containing aqueous solutions. First, the influence of several factors such as treatment time, current intensity, flow rate, and electrode position was investigated for the electrogeneration of H2O2 and the energetic consumption by means of a factorial design methodology using a 24 factorial matrix. Electric current and treatment time were found to be the pivotal parameters influencing the H2O2 production with contributions of 40.2 and 26.9%, respectively. The flow rate had low influence on the responses; however, 500 mL min−1 (with an average residence time of 1.09 min obtained in the residence time distribution analysis) allowed to obtain a better performance due to the high mass transport to and from the electrodes. As expected, polarization was also found to play an important role, since for the cathode-to-anode flow direction, lower H2O2 concentrations were observed when compared with the anode-to-cathode flow arrangement, indicating that part of the H2O2 produced in the cathode was destroyed at the anode. A fluorescence study of hydroxyl radical production, on the other hand, showed that higher yields were obtained using an anode-to-cathode flow direction (up to 3.88 µM), when compared with experiments carried out using a cathode-to-anode flow path (3.11 µM). The removal of a commercial formulation of the antibiotic AMX was evaluated in terms of total organic carbon, achieving up to 57.9% and 38.63% of pollutant mineralization using synthetic and real sanitary wastewater spiked, respectively. Finally, the efficiency of the process on the inactivation of fecal coliforms in sanitary wastewater samples was assessed, reducing 90% of the bacteria after 5 min of electrolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out to assess the microbiological quality of two coastal ecosystems of Agadir Bay: Oued Souss estuary and Agadir beach (Atlantic coast of Morocco). The study revolves on the effect of environmental parameters on the fecal bacteria populations between March 2018 and February 2019. Environmental parameters and bacterial enumeration of fecal coliforms and fecal streptococci were performed for water, bivalves (Donax trunculus and Scrobicularia plana) and sediments. Standardized methods of conventional microbiology were used for the enumeration of fecal indicator bacteria. The physicochemical parameters showed seasonal fluctuations following those of climatic conditions. With a total of 72 samples, Oued Souss and Agadir beach have almost the same trend of fecal coliforms loads around 4.95, 4.73 and 2.19 log10 CFU/g in sediment, bivalve and water, respectively. For fecal streptococci, Agadir beach recorded a maximum of 5.47 log10 CFU/g for both sediments and bivalves and 1.95 log10 CFU/g for water. However, higher values were observed at Oued Souss estuary with an average of 6.55, 5.84 and 2.08 log10 CFU/g in sediment, bivalve and water compartment, respectively. The ratios of fecal coliforms to fecal streptococci represented maximum values in Spring (3.73) and Winter (2.31) for Agadir beach and in summer (1.03) for Oued Souss estuary. The principal component analysis was applied to determine the contribution of environmental parameters to the abundance of fecal indicator bacteria. Overall, these findings show the effect of environmental parameters on the evolution of fecal contamination in the studied sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the influence of the spatial arrangement of shallow wells and pit latrines on water quality was evaluated in clayey soil during dry and rainy seasons, using 123 randomly selected wells. The distance between well and the nearest latrine was measured and the location of the well in the yard was characterized. The colony forming units (CFU/100 mL) of fecal coliforms were quantified, and pH, electrical conductivity (CE) and turbidity were measured. 100% of the wells were located less than 25 m from the latrine, 74.8% were located in the middle of the yard. In the dry season, 42.4% of the samples presented up to 12 CFU/100 mL, and in the rainy season, 84.4% presented up to 139 CFU/100 mL. 56.9% had pH values between 6.5 and 8.5, and 63.4% presented EC values between 50 and 571 μS/cm. In the dry season, 40.7% of the samples had values below 5 NTU, and 59.3% up to 50 NTU. In the rainy season, 86.6% had values between 6 and 300 NTU. Pearson's correlation between all variables was weak. The wells are susceptible to high fecal contamination, although the clayey soil seems to mitigate the expected high levels of microbial contamination. HIGHLIGHTS 100% of the wells are less than 25 meters from the nearest latrine.; In 57.6% of the dry season samples, bacterial CFU/100 mL were not detected.; In the rainy season, 84.4% of the samples were positive for bacterial CFU/100 mL.; The clay soil seems to mitigate the expected high levels of bacterial contamination.;

Freshwater bodies receive waste, feces, and fecal microorganisms from agricultural, urban, and natural activities. In this study, the probable sources of fecal contamination were determined. Also, antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) were detected in the two main rivers of central Chile. Surface water samples were collected from 12 sampling sites in the Maipo (n = 8) and Maule Rivers (n = 4) every 3 months, from August 2017 until April 2019. To determine the fecal contamination level, fecal coliforms were quantified using the most probable number (MPN) method and the source of fecal contamination was determined by Microbial Source Tracking (MST) using the Cryptosporidium and Giardia genotyping method. Separately, to determine if antimicrobial resistance bacteria (AMB) were present in the rivers, Escherichia coli and environmental bacteria were isolated, and the antibiotic susceptibility profile was determined. Fecal coliform levels in the Maule and Maipo Rivers ranged between 1 and 130 MPN/100-ml, and 2 and 30,000 MPN/100-ml, respectively. Based on the MST results using Cryptosporidium and Giardia host-specific species, human, cattle, birds, and/or dogs hosts were the probable sources of fecal contamination in both rivers, with human and cattle host-specific species being more frequently detected. Conditional tree analysis indicated that coliform levels were significantly associated with the river system (Maipo versus Maule), land use, and season. Fecal coliform levels were significantly (p

The beaches of Oran are among the busiest in Algeria. However these beaches are exposed to multiple dangers in particular to pollution which poses serious problems and which can also hinder any proper use of the sea. This paper is an assessment of the physico-chemical and bacteriological quality of some beaches where swimming is allowed along the Oranese coast in Algeria, specifically the Kristel Beach and the beach of Les Andalouses seaside resort. Fecal streptococci are normal hosts of the intestine of humans and warm-blooded animals. Research concerning them associated with that of fecal coliforms is a good indication of fecal contamination. Their presence indicates long term contamination of fecal origin while the presence of fecal coliforms indicates a contamination of recent fecal origin. This is why it may become necessary to proceed to the confirmation stage to detect the presence of E. Coli, which is in fact the real indicator sought in this context, through the necessary use of E. Coli specific culture media. The results obtained show a slight difference between the two sites as the beach of Les Andalouses is a bit more polluted compared to that of Kristel. Still, both beaches remain of good quality with regard to national and international standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the design, manufacture, characterization, and evaluation of a solar disinfection (SODIS) reactor based on compound parabolic concentrators (CPCs). Two materials were used to manufacture the reflective surface of the CPCs, high reflectivity aluminum sheet (CPCHRS) and commercial aluminum foil (CPCAF). In both configurations, the solar energy collection area, the concentration ratio, and the volume capacity were the same, 1 m2, 1-Sun and 100 L per day, respectively. CPC-type reactor was manufactured with low-cost materials affordable for the end user in rural communities. The experimental evaluation was carried out under real-life conditions using water from a river consumed by the inhabitants of a rural community in Mexico. The effectiveness of CPCs for disinfection using the SODIS process was demonstrated using a flow rate of 10 L/h. CPCHRS achieved 100% bacterial removal of fecal coliforms in 2 h of solar exposition, while CPCAF reached the same results in 4 h under similar conditions. Solar disinfection of natural freshwater sources using a CPC type reactor shows the feasibility of eliminating the main microorganisms that cause gastrointestinal diseases, thus improving the quality of life of the rural community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study describes the quality of drinking water sampled over 2 years (2018 and 2019) from 20 ASADAS (Spanish acronym for Administrative Associations for Water and Sewer Systems) in Costa Rica. The analysis included Rotavirus (RV), somatic coliphages, fecal coliforms, and Escherichia coli. The ASADAS were categorized into three regions as temperate rainy (region 1), tropical rainy (region 2), and tropical rainy and dry (region 3) according to biogeographic classification. The concentrations of fecal coliforms and E. coli were higher in samples from surface water sources from the ASADAS in region 3 compared to regions 1 and 2. RV-positive samples (24/296) were detected in drinking-water samples from regions 2 and 3 during dry and transition seasons, with higher concentrations more frequently in the dry season. In addition, somatic coliphages were detected in samples from the three regions, with higher concentrations in region 2. Furthermore, a statistically significant relationship was found between somatic coliphages and diarrheal cases, classified as outbreaks or alerts in the region. Thus, the results confirmed that somatic coliphages are a good indicator of the presence of diarrhea cases in a specific region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ever‐increasing need for access to safe water has meant that alternative water sources and innovative water reclamation approaches are often required to meet the global water demand. As a result, many wastewater treatment facilities have faced regulatory pressure to seek alternative disinfection methods that ensure public health safety, while adhering to regulations that set limits on carcinogenic disinfection by‐products (DBPs). Peracetic acid (PAA) is an emerging wastewater disinfectant in the United States that has been widely used in other industries such as food sanitization and does not produce carcinogenic DBPs. However, several factors such as transport, storage, and physical and chemical effects have stymied its widespread use in wastewater markets. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the antimicrobial efficacy of an on‐site generated PAA compared against a commercially available PAA. Antimicrobial efficacy was assessed using standard fecal contamination indicators (i.e., total coliforms and Escherichia coli) in six urban wastewater treatment facilities ranging in size and treatment processes. Overall, few statistical differences were found between the antimicrobial efficacies of on‐site generated PAA and commercially available PAA; however, before becoming more widely utilized, the on‐site PAA should be tested against emerging fecal contamination indicators (e.g., human norovirus and enterovirus) and be assessed in terms of economic and sustainability impacts. Practitioner Points: Alternative Ct approaches should be considered when using disinfectants like PAA.On‐site generated PAA can achieve the same level of disinfection as commercial PAA.On‐site generation of PAA may help further its use as a wastewater disinfectant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Access to water through shallow groundwater wells is a common practice in coastal settlements. This, coupled with a lack of planning for wastewater disposal promotes fecal contamination of groundwater and poses a threat to human health. Here, the spatial and temporal dynamics of groundwater fecal contamination was evaluated during summer and winter (2013 and 2014) in a coastal protected area having a high touristic relevance (Cabo Polonio, Uruguay). Fecal coliforms (FC) abundance in groundwater was significantly higher during summer, related to an influx of ~ 1000 tourists per day. A significant spatial autocorrelation was found in 2014, when the abundance of FC in a well was influenced by its three nearest wells (Moran and Geary tests). The applied statistical models (mixed models) indicated that total phosphorus and organic matter were the variables significantly explaining FC abundance. The risk for human health was estimated using groundwater-extracted DNA and qPCR of genes encoding for E. coli virulence factors (stx1, stx2, and eae). Potential Shiga toxin-producing enteropathogenic and enterohemorrhagic pathotypes were detected, even at FC abundances ≤ 1 CFU (100 mL−1). Moreover, we found that contaminated groundwater reached the beach, being the presence of FC in sand detected even in winter and showing its highest frequency nearby groundwater wells consistently having high FC abundance (hot spots). Altogether, the results show that fecal contamination of shallow groundwater in Cabo Polonio involves a risk for human health that intensifies during summer (associated to a significant increase of tourists). This contamination also impacts the beach, where FC can remain through the whole year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]