Every life needs water for surviving on earth. It has a huge important role for sustenance of life. (Bello et al., 2013). In many developing countries, outbreak of disease occur due to microbiological contamination in water, especially in polluted drinking water (Ahmed et al., 2004). Diarrhea, dysentery as well as many different disease occur due to drinking microbiologically contaminated water and chemical intoxication in water which is currently a burning issue in global public health (Isa et al., 2013).

As Bangladesh is a densely populated country, the reasons behind water contamination are quite similar. Surface water and ground water both are majorly affected via deposition of minerals, nonpoint source pollution, inadequate sanitation etc (Geldreich et al., 1990). The contaminated water with fecal material, factory waste, nonpoint source pollution can cause several diseases to the users of these water (Geldreich et al., 1991).  Fecal contaminant organisms are Escherichia coli, Clostridia, Enterococci and Streptococci (Binni et al., 2006; Ahmad et al., 2018). 

As a consequence of abortive or improper application of water treatment techniques, coliforms and various pathogens can be found in water that is used for drinking (McFeters et al., 1986). Nearly one sixth of the world total population gets sick and 5 million children dies every year because of consuming contaminated water (Shittu et al., 2008). As water is connected with each persons regular routine, it is mandatory to maintain its standard (Bello et al., 2013). Hence to ensure the safety of water supply, one of the basic requirements is to prevent the transmission of contamination via drinking water (Ahmed et al., 2004). 

Fig. 1: Water Booth in Dhaka City.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has already taken necessary steps to ensure safety of water in Bangladesh to promote obstructive approaches for management of water quality by using (WSP) Water Safety Plans (WHO Chronicle, 2011). 

So the aim of this research was to identify the microbiological quality of water samples from water booths in different areas of Dhaka city.

Institutional Clearance 

This research was conducted at Microbiology Department, Lion A. Badal Eye and General Hospital and the approval was taken. 

Study Population 

Drinking water samples were collected from water booth in four different locations of Dhaka city. The areas were: Motijheel, Mirpur, Banasree, Wari. 

Fig. 2: Water Sample Collected from Different Areas in Dhaka.

Sample Size Calculation

It was tried to collect the samples from all the different locations in Dhaka city but permission were received from four areas in Dhaka city to collect the water samples. 

Materials Used 

In this research, nutrient agar was used to observe total count and MacConkey agar was used to observe E. coli as well as other gram-negative organisms. Hi-media agar, Origin India, was used to conduct this research. Biosafety cabinet, Autoclave, incubator, hot air oven, water bath all were used Bio-base brand, origin China for this research.  

Lab Procedure 

Nutrient agar media and MacConkey agar media was prepared and sterilized. Water samples were serially diluted till 10^2 with distilled water and inoculation was done in Nutrient agar and MacConkey agar plate. Plates were incubated at 37 degree centigrade for 48 hours. After 48 hours, all the results were observed (Abedin et al., 2020; Abedin et al., 2020; Ahmed et al., 2013; Abedin et al., 2020; Ghosh et al., 2024) 

Data Analysis 

IBM SPSS version 22 software was used for statistical analysis of the observed data.  

Table 1: Result of Nutrient agar media.

TNTC= Too numerous to count

In this research, four different areas water booth were chosen to analyse microbiological quality of drinking water sample. Table 1 represents the total count growth results in Nutrient agar media. It was observed that TNTC (Too numerous to count) growth was observed both in Motijheel and Mirpur areas from direct sampling techniques which is very much alarming. Reduction of microorganisms were observed in different dilution factor. 

Fig. 3: Growth in Nutrient Agar.

No growth was observed in Banasree as well as Wari area samples. As Motijheel and Mirpur areas water was highly contaminated, so it is possible that their water purification process is not up to the mark. 

Table 2: Result of MacConkey Agar Media.

A research conducted in Bangladesh reported that 20% samples were found as non-potable water from their total sample size (Ahmed et al., 2013). 

Fig. 4: Growth in MacConkey Agar.

In research of Ethiopia conducted in 2011, 87.5% samples were found as non-potable, but the local community people were frequently used it (Abera et al., 2011). 

From the different booths of Dhaka city water samples were collected and a microbial analysis test was conducted to see how purified and safe the water is. The results of the test were not fully satisfactory as pathogens were observed in water from some areas which is actually very alarming. The water purification system of these areas needs to be managed well to avoid contamination. And also the people of the areas should be more conscious about the water they are drinking. After observing the quality of the water from the samples of Motijheel and Mirpur areas, very impoverished results were observed. As huge number of populations stays in those two locations, serious diseases can be caused to them. Preventive measure should be taken to improve the quality of drinking water. Also make people aware about the water quality to prevent disaster. Meanwhile the results in both Banasree and Wari is acceptable. So special focus should be given in the treatment procedure of water booth in Motijheel and Mirpur area.

Limitations 

Due to some unavoidable circumstances, a sufficient size of sample couldnt be collected to conduct the test.

S.A.I.; M.A.; and R.A.: performed all the laboratory work, M.A.; and S.A.I.: prepared the manuscript, R.A.; and M.A.: prepared the figure and tables, Z.S.U.: advised and supervised the whole laboratory work and manuscript writing. 

Special thanks should be given to the higher management of the hospital for permitting to conduct this research as well as all the supporting staffs of the lab for further co-operation.

The authors announce that there is no conflict of interest with respect to the publication of this article.