Bacteriological Examination Of Municipal Tap Water With Reference To Coliforms In Damauli, Tanahun, Nepal

Introduction: Many of the sicknesses and diseases in the world is caused by inadequate sanitation, polluted or unavailability of water. Access to safe drinking water remains a public health challenge in Nepal, where bacterial contamination of municipal water is prevalent. The objective of this study was to assess the bacterial loads and contaminants in drinking water from source of water and municipal taps in Vyas Municipality of Damauli Tanahun, Nepal. Methods: A total of 80 randomly collected water samples from three wards (2, 3 and 4) of Vyas Municipality including 5 from Madi Pumping System, 5 from Gunadi Spring Gravity System and 70 from Municipal Taps. Samples were analyzed for temperature, PH and total dissolved solids using standard methods. Microbiological assessment was conducted through the Membrane Filtration Technique to determine Total Coliform Count. Results: The pH showed the range of 7.3-7.9, temperature between 17.6-20.4 ˚C and total dissolved solids between 298-371mg/L, all within the limit prescribed by WHO. Out of 80 samples, the Total Coliform Count in 10 samples from Madi Pumping System and Gunadi Spring Gravity System was found to be highest through 100. Similarly, Total Coliform Count in the 70 samples from Municipal Tap Water was found to be the lowest through 100. Conclusion: The physiochemical parameters are within the safe range but microbiological analysis of water sample revealed the presence of total coliform in all samples. Contamination of all the drinking water sources of Damauli was probably due to the failure of the disinfections of the raw water.