Microbiological Safety of Drinking Water and Health Risks

Aradhana Dohroo, Desh Raj Thakur

Abstract: Safe and clean drinking water is basic requirement for human life. Contamination of water due to microbiological hazards which include lack of clean water supply, sanitation and unhygienic practices are major causes for many waterborne diseases in a community causing water - related health problems such as cholera, diarrhoea, dysentery, hepatitis A, typhoid, polio etc. The aim of this brief review is to highlight the microbial contamination of drinking water. Pathogenic microorganisms includiing Burkholderia, Campylobacter, Legionella, Leptospira, Shigella, Vibrio, Yersinia, Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora, Entamoeba, Giardia, Microsporidium, Naegleria, Toxoplasma, Salmonella spp, Listeria monocytogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Campylobacter jejuni, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Adenovirus, Astrovirus, Calicivirus, Coronovirus, Enterovirus, Poliovirus etc. contaminate drinking water and transmit diseases. In adults, symptoms include myocarditis, diabetes, reactive arthritis, cancers etc. Pathogens in contaminated drinking water include helminths, Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia hepatitis A and E, Enteroviruses, C. jejuni and H. pylori. Water borne diseases are spread by bathing, washing, or by eating food exposed to contaminated water. Developing countries in rural areas are facing maximum problems of water contamination in potable water. Diarrhoea and vomiting are the most commonly reported symptoms due to waterborne illness. Improved water supply and sanitation treatments as well as better management of water resources contribute to human health and poverty reduction.

Keywords: Drinking water, Water contamination, Pathogen, Diseases