Physicochemical and Bacteriological Analysis of Water Quality in Drought Prone Areas of Pune and Satara Districts of Maharashtra, India

Drinking water quality is determined by the water’s biological, chemical, and physical features. Water sampling was carried out in 20 villages in the Pune and Satara districts of Maharashtra, with 15 falling in a low rainfall zone. Samples were collected from rivers, open wells, and bore wells, four times in a period of a year covering all seasons. A total of 206 water samples were analyzed for their physical, chemical, and bacteriological properties. Physical and chemical properties were expressed in the form of a modified Water Quality Index (WQI). Additionally, the modified WQI was compared to an Overall Pollution Index (OIP) for rivers. The present investigation is an attempt to analyze the impact of seasonal changes on water quality of different water bodies using two different WQIs. To understand the degree to which water quality is affected by faecal bacteria, modified WQI with exclusion of faecal coliforms (FC) and OIP with inclusion of FC were compared with each other in river water bodies. Modified WQI values and bacterial counts were at a maximum during the onset of the monsoon. In terms of bacteriological contamination, the number of FC and intestinal enterococci (IE) in the water bodies was of major concern since it would impact human health

Antibiotic Resistance Characterization of Environmental E. coli Isolated from River Mula-Mutha, Pune District, India

In the current study, ceftazidime- and ciprofloxacin-resistant—or dual drug-resistant (DDR)—E. coli were isolated from river Mula-Mutha, which flows through rural Pune district and Pune city. The DDR E. coli were further examined for antibiotic resistance to six additional antibiotics. The study also included detection of genes responsible for ceftazidime and ciprofloxacin resistance and vectors for horizontal gene transfer. Twenty-eight percent of the identified DDR E. coli were resistant to more than six antibiotics, with 12% being resistant to all eight antibiotics tested. Quinolone resistance was determined through the detection of qnrA, qnrB, qnrS and oqxA genes, whereas cephalosporin resistance was confirmed through detection of TEM, CTX-M-15, CTX-M-27 and SHV genes. Out of 219 DDR E. coli, 8.2% were qnrS positive and 0.4% were qnrB positive. Percentage of isolates positive for the TEM, CTX-M-15 and CTX-M-27 genes were 32%, 46% and 0.9%, respectively. None of the DDR E. coli tested carried the qnrA, SHV and oqxA genes. Percentage of DDR E. coli carrying Class 1 and 2 integrons (mobile genetic elements) were 47% and 8%, respectively. The results showed that antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and integrons were present in the E. coli isolated from the river at points adjoining and downstream of Pune city

Occurrence and seasonal variation in distribution of fecal indicator bacteria in Tapi estuary along the West coast of India

340-347Distribution and occurrence of fecal indicator bacterial in nine different locations along the inner to coastal areas of Tapi estuary during three different seasons like, post-monsoon, pre-monsoon and monsoon were analyzed for the period of one year. It was found that monsoon was inhabited by the highest number of investigated bacteria, while lower numbers of them were found in other two seasons. Concentrations of fecal microorganisms in sediment were found to be significantly high. Overall percentage occurrence for the enteric bacteria in water and sediment were maximum accounted for fecal coliforms (64%), and moderate for Pseudomonas aeruginosa (22.2%). Higher microbial populations were recorded in stations close to coastal areas and inner estuarine as compared to middle and outer area of Tapi, while according to the analysis of surface water the highest degree of pollution was reached on its estuary. Bacterial populations showed strong correlations with biological oxygen demand and negative relationship with salinity, indicating the dominating influence of human activities resulting fecal pollution in the estuarine area

Assessment of enteric bacterial indicators and correlation with physico-chemical parameters in Veraval coast, India

501-507<span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family: " times="" new="" roman""="" lang="EN-GB">In present study, the prevalence of enteric bacterial indicators like Escherichia coli, Salmonella, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Shigella, Proteus, Klebsiella, Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio parahaemolyticus like organism in water and sediment of Veraval coast were studied at six different locations in three different seasons. Statistical analysis of data showed that there is a significant increase in count in September (Monsoon) as compared to January (post monsoon). It was also found that the enteric bacterial count was higher in sediment than in surface waters in harbour mouth and during monsoon season. A strong correlation of bacterial counts with physico-chemical parameters was observed. Temperature, pH, salinity, Dissolved oxygen (DO), Nitrite (NO2-) and Nitrate (NO3-) showed negative correlation with the bacterial counts whereas Biological Oxygen demand (BOD), Ammonia (NH4+ ) and Phosphate (PO43-) showed a positive correlation with the bacterial counts. </span

Variations of Drinking Water Quality Influenced by Seasons and Household Interventions: A Case Study from Rural Maharashtra, India

The majority of people in rural villages in Maharashtra, India, have access to improved drinking water sources. Nevertheless, the water quality at the point of consumption often does not satisfy the drinking water standard. In this study, we assess changes in water quality from its source to the point of consumption and explore the ties between water management practices and water quality. Water samples were collected at the water source and from 135 households’ drinking water storage tanks, and analyzed for fecal coliforms. In parallel, a survey was done to find out water treatment and storage interventions, sanitation and hygiene practices, and households’ perception of, and satisfaction with, drinking water quality. Our results show that even though 98% of the households in this study received their drinking water from an improved source, on average only 50% of sources, and even less during the monsoon, showed acceptable levels of fecal bacteria. Households’ engagement in treatment and storage interventions varied, but was considered crucial due to unreliable centralized chlorination at the village level. Further work is warranted to understand to what extent the different factors influence variations in water quality at the point of consumption and thus to determine what are the most effective interventions

Evaluation of immunogenicity post two doses of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, Covaxin after six months

We have evaluated the immunogenicity of two dose of Covaxin given at a one-month interval to two adult populations, i.e. COVID-19 naïve-vaccinated individuals (n = 118) and COVID-19 recovered individuals (n = 128) with the vaccination. The immune response in the study population were assessed at three follow-ups, namely at one month post first dose, one and six months after the second dose. The persistence of S1RBD IgG and neutralizing antibodies for six months post vaccination was observed at different time intervals. The enhanced immune response was observed in both the participant groups. The study emphasizes the need for a booster dose post six months of vaccination