Safety drinking water providing is one of the main purposes for community development and

improvement. Having a healthy community is related to the safe drinking water. In this study, we surveyed the

microbial quality of 116 villages under cover of the Saqqez water and wastewater Company in 2007. Drinking

water of these rural areas have provided of deep, semi-deep wells and spring water sources. Because of the

both sources were used in the rural areas and also due to use of different storage sources (new and old

sources), we collected 359 samples during a month period to test for microbial quality. We also used linear

Regression statistical analysis for collected data. Results show that residual chlorine content in drinking

water in 33.88 percent of rural areas population was in range 0.2-1 mg/l. In 98.3 percent of the Saqqez rural

areas the turbidity level was less than Iranian maximum permissible levels (5 NTU). There was no E. coli

contamination in 88 percent of drinking water in Saqqez rural areas. Based on WHO guidelines concerning

microbial quality of water published in 2006, average indicator for absence of E. coli in rural water of Saqqez

was 88 percent

دهقانی, محمدهادی

زارعی, احمد

فضل زاده دویل, مهدی

قادرپوری, منصور

English

ArUMS Digital Repository (سامانه اطلاعات زیست پزشکی و سلامت)

American-Eurasian J. Agric. & Environ. Sci., 5 (5): 627-632, 2009
ISSN 1818-6769
© IDOSI Publications, 2009
Corresponding Author: Dr. Mohammad Hadi Dehghani, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, 
School of Public Health, Center for Environmental Research, 
Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, I.R.Iran
627
Survey of Microbial Quality of Drinking Water in Rural Areas of Saqqez, Iran
Mansour Ghaderpoori, Mohammad Hadi Dehghani, 
Mehdi Fazlzadeh and Ahmad Zarei
Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, 
Center for Environmental Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, I.R. Iran
Abstract: Safety drinking water providing is one of the main purposes for community development and
improvement. Having a healthy community is related to the safe drinking water. In this study, we surveyed the
microbial quality of 116 villages under cover of the Saqqez water and wastewater Company in 2007. Drinking
water of these rural areas have provided of deep,  semi-deep wells and spring water sources. Because of the
both sources were used in the rural areas and also due to use of different storage sources (new and old
sources), we collected 359 samples during a month period to test for microbial quality. We also used linear
Regression  statistical  analysis  for  collected data. Results show that residual chlorine content in drinking
water in 33.88 percent of rural areas population was in  range  0.2-1  mg/l. In 98.3 percent of the Saqqez rural
areas the turbidity level was less than Iranian maximum permissible levels (5 NTU). There was no E. coli
contamination in 88 percent of drinking water in Saqqez rural areas. Based on WHO guidelines concerning
microbial quality of water published in 2006, average indicator for absence of E. coli in rural water of Saqqez
was 88 percent.
Key words: Drinking water rural areas % E.coli coliform bacteria % Residual chlorine % Turbidity
INTRODUCTION special studies and also setting guidelines is necessary
Human health depends on safe water more than any for surface and ground water that is being used for
other thing. Basically the life of human is related to safe drinking is obvious to everyone. One of the parameters of
water. And try in safe water supply is a very important. water that is too important in safe drinking water is
Most of the problems in developing countries are mainly sensory parameters (organoleptic).But among them
due to the lack of safe drinking water[1]. Safe water biological and chemical parameters are more important
supply is one of the main purposes in community. And because they cannot be seen by direct vision. Thus it is
development and improvement depend on healthy necessary to monitor water quality to achieve safe
community. And it is apparent that health of individuals water[3,4].
depends on safe drinking water[2].The growing There are some factors such as lack of drinking water
population of the world has increased the water need to sources, the need to maintain the current available
drinking, agricultural, industrial and recreational and etc. sources and planning to better use of sources that their
It  has  decreased  not  only  the  quantity  of  water  but influence  is as important as above discussed factors[4].
also the quality of water by civilization, industry and In 2007, more than 54% of rural areas having the
agriculture development nowadays, most of the countries population above  20  thousand  persons (which included
in the world have lack of safe and also the polluted water 93.4% of the residents)were receiving water and
sources. And causes the future trend in water use become wastewater services[5]. In the other word in 2007, 64% of
somewhat difficult to evaluate. Among them the pollution rural areas populations were receiving water and
of water sources is very important of view point of health wastewater  services.  According  to  the  common  report
and considerable attention is necessary for it. Therefore of Asian Development Bank (ADB), United Nation
for public health[3].The importance of pollution control
Am-Euras. J. Agric. & Environ. Sci., 5 (5): 627-632, 2009
628
Development Program (UNDP), United Nation Economic RESULTS
and Social Commission for Asian and the Pacific
(UNESCAP) and World Health Organization (WHO), the The results showed that the amount of residual
rural  population  of Iran in years 1990 and 2002 was chlorine  in community water distribution system in 95%
24.949 and 23.144 million, respectively. of samples was in the range 0-0.8 mg/l and standard
     In both times 83% of rural population was under deviation was 0.32 (Fig.1). Results showed that total
the cover of safe drinking water services. According to coliforms in 95% of drinking water samples in Saqqez city
this report, Iran rural population will decrease to 21.245 was in range 0-64(MPN/100).The mean value and standard
million in 2015 [6]. Typically, Saqqez city have 276 deviation for total coliforms were 43.33 (MPN/100) and
villages, 3 towns and 11 small villages. Saqqez city located 2.01, respectively (Fig. 2). The results showed that
156 Km away  in  north  western  of Sanandaj city in west turbidity in 95% of samples was in the range 0-3.37 NTU.
of Iran. It  is  1476 m above sea level. Population of the The  mean value  and standard deviation for turbidity
city is above 205280 persons. 72442 persons were living were 1.27 and 1.23 respectively (Fig. 3). The results also
in rural areas. Approximately, 53.29% of the population showed that fecal coliforms in 95% of samples of drinking
was in rural areas. Among them 79% were in rural areas water were in the range 0-9 (MPN/100). The mean value
above 20 residents and 21% were in rural areas less  than and standard deviation for fecal coliforms were 6.223
20 residents. Among them 42.2% (116 villages) were (MPN/100) and 1.19 respectively (Fig. 4). We also
receiving water and wastewater services. Drinking water analyzed the relationship among fecal coliforms, turbidity
supplies  for  these  rural areas were from springs and and residual chlorine using linear regression methods
deep and semi-deep wells. Because of considerable  role (Table 1 and 2).
of water quality on human health and the necessity of
measurement of its different parameters, we did this study
to determine the water quality of Saqqez city in 2008.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
To determine microbial quality of the rural areas, we
examined the parameters such as turbidity, residual
chlorine, Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP), fecal
coliform indicators (fecal coliforms) and Heterotrophic
Plate Count  (HPC)  according  to  the latest guidelines of
WHO[7]. We examined three parameters such as free
residual chlorines, fecal coliform indicators (fecal
coliforms)  and   turbidity   as   a   basis  for  our  analyses.
This study was done in Saqqez city to survey water
quality in 2007. Drinking water supply in Saqqez city is
from springs, deep and semi-deep wells. Because of the
both sources were used in the city and also due to use of
different storage sources (new and old sources), we
collected 359 samples during a month period. All the
examinations were done according to the 21st edition of
Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and
Wastewater in 2005 [8]. The results were analyzed using
the Statistical software SPSS and Excel. Free residual
chlorine was measured by a colorimeter kit on a annually
basis. Most Probable Number (MPN) was done on nine
tube cultivation basis. And also Turbidity test was done
using HACH turbidimeter.
Table 1: Relation of residual chlorine with fecal coliform in rural areas of
Saqqez basis on simple linear regressionb
Model Sum of Squares df Mean Square F Sig.
Regression 1424.542 1 1424.542 4.569 0.034b
Residual 73579.836 236 311.779
Total 75004.379 237
Table 2: Relation of turbidity with fecal coliform in rural areas of Saqqez
basis on simple linear regressionb
Model Sum of Squares df Mean Square F Sig.
Regression 27539.891 1 27539.891 1.834 0.177a
Residual 5000532.518 333 15016.614
Total 5028072.409 334
a.Predictors: (Constant), residual chlorine
b.Dependent Variable: fecal coliform
Table 3: WHO guidelines for safe water in 2006 [12]
Quality indicator test for E.coli (%)
Population ( person)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Criteria >5000 5000-100000 <100000
High quality 90 95 99
Good 80 90 95
Fair 70 85 90
Poor 60 80 85
Table 4: Indicators for microbial quality of rural areas in 2007 [11]
Parameter %
Absence of fecal E.coli 93.07
Free residual chlorine 91.43
Turbidity 95.60
Am-Euras. J. Agric. & Environ. Sci., 5 (5): 627-632, 2009 
 
 
629 
Month
FebruaryJanuaryDecemberNovemberOctober
F
re
e 
re
si
du
al
 c
hl
or
in
e 
le
ve
l (
m
g/
l)
.5
.4
.3
.2
.1
0.0
 
Fig. 1: Variations of free residual chlorine in water distribution systems in rural areas of Saqqez 
Month
FebruaryJanuaryDecemberNovemberOctober
T
ot
al
 c
ol
ifo
rm
 (M
P
N
/1
00
m
l
300
200
100
0
-100
 
Fig. 2: Variations of Total coliform in water distribution systems in rural areas of Saqqez 
Am-Euras. J. Agric. & Environ. Sci., 5 (5): 627-632, 2009 
 
 
630 
Month
FebruaryJanuaryDecemberNovemberOctober
Tu
rb
id
ity
 (
N
TU
)
3.5
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
.5
0.0
 
Fig. 3: Variations of turbidity in water distribution systems in rural areas of Saqqez 
Month
FebruaryJanuaryDecemberNovemberOctober
F
ec
al
 c
ol
ifo
rm
 (
M
P
N
/1
00
m
l
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
-50
 
Fig. 4: Variations of Fecal coliform in water distribution systems in rural areas of Saqqez 
 
Am-Euras. J. Agric. & Environ. Sci., 5 (5): 627-632, 2009
631
DISCUSSION relationship between them is Y= 0.151+1.99X (Y and X are
The optimum concentration of free residual chlorine The survey indicated that drinking water of 33.88% of
in any point of community water distribution system after Saqqez rural population has free residual chlorine in range
half hour of chlorination by considering pH is in the range 0.2-1 mg/l which is less than its national mean value
0.5-0.8 mg/l according to Iranian drinking water guidelines. (91.42%) in 2007 (ghanadi and mohebbi ). Drinking water
But in epidemic conditions and disasters it must be 1 mg/l for  95  %  of  rural  areas  of  Saqqez  city was in  the
[9]. Drinking water in some rural areas of Saqqez was range 0.2-0.8  mg/l  which is 61.96 % lower than the mean
consumed raw or without any disinfection process. value of  the  country  in  2006.  The  mean  value in the
Results showed that amount of free residual chlorine for survey  for  absence  for fecal E. coli was 88% (Table 3).
only 29.5% of Saqqez city was in the range 0.2-0.8 mg/l. By comparing to world health organization guidelines
According to WHO amount of free residual chlorine has published for small communities in 2003, the microbial
no any harmful effect on human health up to 5 mg/l. quality of Saqqez rural areas was good. This was 5% less
amount of 1 mg/l is not unpleasant in community water than its national mean value reported in 2006 (93.07 %)
distribution system. The study showed that 33.88 % of (Table 4). The mean value for turbidity of drinking water
Saqqez rural areas populations receive water with a free in the population of Saqqez rural Areas was pleasant for
residual chlorine range 0.2-1 mg/l which is much less than 61.8% and in 98.3% it was less than national maximum
Iran means values (91.42%) [9]. According to WHO and permissible levels. This is somewhat more than national
Iranian standards for drinking water, fecal bacteria mean  value (ghanadi and mohebbi 2008) (96%). We
indicators must not be detectable in any 100 ml sample. In found  that  both  old  distribution  systems  and  also lack
the case of large supplies, where sufficient samples are of chlorine due to breakdown of  chlorination  system
examined, fecal coliform must not be present in 95% of have the main effect in microbial pollution of some rural
samples taken throughout any 12-month  period [9, 10]. areas. When  the turbidity of water increased or amount
The high mean values and standard deviations of total of  free  residual  chlorine was zero, the pollution was
and fecal coliforms in water of some rural areas inJanuary more. Although by comparison of microbial parameters
were due to events such as lack of enough chlorine for according to WHO (Table 3) the water quality of these
disinfection and in some cases breakdown of chlorination rural areas seem safe, but the high differences in maximum
systems. Thus, drinking water in some of these rural areas and minimum variables indicated the water quality  in all
was consumed without chlorination. And caused total of these areas in not safe to drink. The quality of water in
and fecal coliforms increase in the drinking water. In 49 some of these areas was fair or poor. So it  is  necessary
samples fecal coliforms were positive in this period. The to prevent of pollution of available drinking water. The
results indicated that 88 % of drinking water of Saqqez following recommendations are necessary for this
rural areas was free of fecal coliforms. In some cases purpose:
especially in rural areas which were consuming drinking
water without disinfection, the number of fecal coliforms C To prevent water pollution, we must first have a
was indicated 1100 (MPN/100 ml). In Iran drinking water suitable wastewater treatment system by considering
standards optimum and Maximum Permisible Levels for the geographical and economic condition. 
turbidity are 1 and 5 NTU respectively.  According  to C providing chlorination systems for all rural areas
national  guidelines, the mean values for drinking water which receive water and wastewater services.
turbidity in Saqqez rural areas was good in 61/8% and in C Training and monitoring performance of personnel 
98/8% it was less than national standards [9,10]. C Control of piping network and repairing when
By analyzing the relationship between free residual necessary.
chlorine and fecal coliforms using linear regression C Prevention of storm flooding into springs, wells and
methods, we did not observe a significance difference also and doing enough sanitation.
between  them with a correlation of 0.074 and P value
0.117 (P  value>0.05)  (Table  1) and  also  by analyzing the REFERENCES
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Survey of Microbial Quality of Drinking Water in Rural Areas of Saqqez, Iran

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Survey of Microbial Quality of Drinking Water in Rural Areas of Saqqez, Iran

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