Some Environmental, Physical and Microbial Parameters of the Harvested Rain-water Supply System of Elobeid Drinking Water

Abstract

This study was carried out to identify some environmental pollutants, physical and microbiological parameters of the harvested drinking water supply of Elobeid City, North Kordofan State, Sudan. Water samples were collected from five points (Bagara, Elain, Airport, Elmoderia streams, and Elobeid station). Environmental pollutants were documented by digital camera. Physical parameters (turbidity, electrical conductivity, and total dissolved solids) were determined according to the standard methods used in the examination of drinking water, while the microbiological parameters (total viable count of bacteria, total coliform bacteria, and faecal coliform bacteria Escherichia coli) were determined using the pour plate method and the most probable number techniques. Analysis of variance was used to analyze the data, and Duncan's Multiple Range Test was performed for means separation. Results showed that environmental pollutants (human, plants, and animal residues) were found and documented in water streams and sources. The results of physical parameters indicated that the highest mean values of water turbidity (166.0 NTU) and total dissolved solids (164.7 mg/l) were reported at Airport stream, while the maximum electrical conductivity (235.3 µs/cm) was reported at Elobeid Station. Analysis of microbiological parameters of water samples revealed that Elmoderia stream resulted in the highest total viable count of bacteria (27400 colony forming units (cfu) /ml); however, the maximum mean value of most probable number for total coliform bacteria (2400 cfu/ml) was reported at both Elain and Bagara Streams. Faecal coliforms E. coli, were found at Elain, Bagara, and Airport streams, but not recorded at Elobeid station and Elmoderia stream. The study concluded that the main problem of Elobeid's surface drinking water supply was human and animal pollutants; therefore, protection of surface water sources through fencing is highly recommended to reduce contamination.