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Page No. : 125-129

ABSTRACT

The present study was conducted to assess the hygienic quality of drinking water sources associated with two filtration plants in Jammu. A total of 75 water samples from Tawi river inputs (n=25) to Sitlee filtration plant (upstream) and Dhaunthly filtration plant (downstream), post-filtration water (n=25) and household supplies (n=25) from respective plants were analysed for various indicator organisms viz., coliforms, faecal coliforms, faecal streptococci and Clostridium perfringens using MPN method. For inputs, the coliform MPN ranged 918-1800; faecal coliforms 70-542; faecal streptococci 130-1609 and Cl. perfringens was 345-918. In post-filtration water the values were 0-25, 0-21, 0-31 and 0-31, respectively, while for household supplies the values were 0-33, 0-17, 0-80 and 0-49, respectively for coliforms, faecal coliforms, faecal streptococci and Cl. Perfringens. The MPN of both filtration plants were comparable at all three points of sample collection except the higher counts for downstream plant at household level for faecal streptococci (43.5±4.28) and at input level for faecal coliforms (223.16±38.22) compared to upstream plant (23.15±8.40 and 164±22.63, respectively) (P<0.05). Overall, the positivity percentage of Tawi river inputs for coliform, faecal coliform, faecal Streptococci and Clostridium perfringens was 100%; for post filtration it was 36%, 20%, 32% and 28%; for household supplies it was 52%, 28%, 48% and 44%, respectively. Based on WHO standards for faecal coliforms (E. coli) in drinking water 100%, 36% and 52% samples from inputs, post filtration and household sources, respectively, were non potable.

Keywords: Filtration plant, household, indicators, Jammu, MPN, water