ESTIMATION OF THE MICROBIOLOGICAL QUALITY (BACTERIOLOGICAL INDICATORS) OF CONSUMPTION WATER AT SUPPLY POINTS IN SCHOOLS LOCATED IN MUNICIPALITIES OF THE STATE OF BOLÍVAR, VENEZUELA

Abstract

Water is an essential resource for life and a basic human right recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in 2010, therefore it is necessary to guarantee its quality for consumption. In this study, the microbiological quality of water was estimated (total and fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli and count of aerobic heterotrophs) in water supply points in schools and homes located in Municipalities of Bolívar state, Venezuela. A survey of teachers, mothers, fathers and those in charge was implemented with the purpose of gathering information on some aspects of the water used for consumption. Microbiological analyzes were performed following two methodologies: PetrifilmTM 3MTM rehydratable dry film plates (coliforms and Escherichia coli (CFU / mL) and total and fecal coliforms with the Multiple Fermentation Tube technique (NMP / 100 mL). Samples from pipes (tap), filters, tanks, containers, underground wells, cisterns, commercial water (packed in bottles). The results obtained revealed the presence of contamination indicator organisms in almost all of the samples evaluated. The responses obtained from the The survey showed that families resort to alternative sources of water supply at home, mainly: commercial bottled bottles, tanker trucks, cisterns, due to the inconsistency of the pipeline supply. 65% of those surveyed stated that they had registered cases of diarrhea in their homes. family nucleus in the course of the last 6 months Among the most affected, children under 5 years. It is concluded that the levels of contamination indicator microorganisms registered represent a health risk due to the possibility of the presence of potentially pathogenic organisms.

Keywords: drinking water, bacteriological quality, bacteria, coliforms, Eschericha coli, schools.