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Water pollution Testing

Water pollution

There’s no doubt that water is important.  Water covers 70.9% of the earth’s surface, and is vital for all known forms of life which depend on water. As such testing for water pollution to ensure it is fit for use is important!

Life on earth has been distressed by the growing number of ecological problems that are mostly caused by humans themselves (factories, sewage treatment plants, underground mines, oil wells, oil tankers and agriculture, acid deposition from the air, traffic, pollutants that are spread through rivers or pollutants that enter the water through groundwater).  Water pollution takes place when pollutants are released directly or indirectly into bodies of water without sufficient treatment to eliminate damaging compounds.

Water pollution

  • affects drinking water, rivers, lakes and oceans all over the world. This consequently harms human health and the natural environment.
  • is the second most imperative environmental concern along with air pollution.
  • is any change or modification in the chemical, physical or biological quality of water that has a harmful effect on any living thing that drinks or uses or lives (in) it.
  • may not damage our health immediately but can be harmful after long term exposure.
  • can also make water unsuited for the desired use.
  • involves the contamination of surface waters and groundwater which may set off a series of diseases referred to as water pollution diseases.

Water pollution can occur in many ways. There are two main sources of contamination – bacterial and chemical.

Bacterial contamination is usually measured by the fecal coliform levels in the water. Fecal coliform is an indicator organism; it is easily measured and can signal the presence of other harmful bacteria in water. This sort of bacterial contamination can occur as a result of improper water treatment (for example, not chlorinating water from a wastewater treatment plant properly), as a result of rotten or corroded piping allowing bacterial growth in pipes, or as a result of poor water storage.

Polluted water is unfit, unhealthy, and dangerous for drinking and for other consumption processes. It is also not suitable for agricultural and industrial assistance. This water pollution is harmful to human beings, plants, animals, fish and birds. Contaminated water also houses and contains viruses, bacteria, intestinal parasites, and other harmful microorganisms, which can originate waterborne diseases such as diarrhea, dysentery, and typhoid.

MBL Laboratories can help you to determine the level of bacterial contamination in the water. Our laboratory specializes in bacterial analysis of waters – wastewaters, lakes, rivers, ponds, storm waters, ground waters. If you need to determine the level of fecal coliforms, E.coli, total coliforms, heterotrophic plate count, Legionella or other type of bacteria in the water call our Mississauga office at 905-290-9101 or our Burnaby office at 604-435-6555.

Is There a Difference Between Total Microbe Test and Total Coliform Test?

Question: Is there a difference between total microbe test and a total coliform test. What do the following results mean as far as safe drinking water is concerned, (5-10)(10-20)(400-500) (800-1000) Colony forming units(CFUs) of aerobic bacteria?

Thank you.

Answer: There is a difference between total microbes test and total coliform test. The former is a non-specific test for everything including the coliforms (if they are present). This test is commonly referred to as Heterotrophic Plate Count (HPC) or Total Aerobic Plate Count. HPC does not give an indication of the types of organisms present or their sources. The total coliform test is designed to detect bacteria belonging to the coliform group.

I am not sure whether the results above were CFUs per litre or per 100 mL. Assuming these were per 100 mL of water the first set of results would be considered insignificant provided coliforms were not present. The second two sets of results suggests the water is either not properly treated or is getting contaminated after treatment.

Below are the Health Canada Microbiological Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality.

Guidelines for microbiological parameters

Currently available detection methods do not allow for the routine analysis of all microorganisms that could be present in inadequately treated drinking water. Instead, microbiological quality is determined by testing drinking water for Escherichia coli, a bacterium that is always present in the intestines of humans and other animals and whose presence in drinking water would indicate faecal contamination of the water.

Bacteriological guidelines

Escherichia coli

The maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) of Escherichia coli in public, semi-public, and private drinking water systems is none detectable per 100 mL.

Testing for E. coli should be carried out in all drinking water systems. The number, frequency, and location of samples for E. coli testing will vary according to the type and size of the system and jurisdictional requirements.

Total coliforms

The MAC of total coliforms in water leaving a treatment plant in a public system and throughout semi-public and private supply systems is none detectable per 100 mL.

For distribution systems in public supplies where fewer than 10 samples are collected in a given sampling period, no sample should contain total coliform bacteria. In distribution systems where greater than 10 samples are collected in a given sampling period, no consecutive samples from the same site or not more than 10% of samples should show the presence of total coliform bacteria.

Testing for total coliforms should be carried out in all drinking water systems. The number, frequency, and location of samples for total coliform testing will vary according to the type and size of the system and jurisdictional requirements.

Heterotrophic plate count

No MAC is specified for heterotrophic plate count (HPC) bacteria in water supplied by public, semipublic, or private drinking water systems. Instead, increases in HPC concentrations above baseline levels are considered undesirable.

Emerging pathogens

No MAC for current or emerging bacterial waterborne pathogens has been established. Current bacterial waterborne pathogens include those that have been previously linked to gastrointestinal illness in human populations. Emerging bacterial waterborne pathogens include, but are not limited to, Legionella, Mycobacterium avium complex, Aeromonas hydrophila, and Helicobacter pylori.

Protozoa

Although Giardia and Cryptosporidium can be responsible for severe and, in some cases, fatal gastrointestinal illness, it is not possible to establish MACs for these protozoa in drinking water at this time. Routine methods available for the detection of cysts and oocysts suffer from low recovery rates and do not provide any information on their viability or human infectivity. Nevertheless, until better monitoring data and information on the viability and infectivity of cysts and oocysts present in drinking water are available, measures should be implemented to reduce the risk of illness as much as possible. If the presence of viable, human-infectious cysts or oocysts is known or suspected in source waters, or if Giardia or Cryptosporidium has been responsible for past waterborne outbreaks in a community, a treatment and distribution regime and a watershed or wellhead protection plan (where feasible) or other measures known to reduce the risk of illness should be implemented. Treatment technologies in place should achieve at least a 3-log reduction in and/or inactivation of cysts and oocysts, unless source water quality requires a greater log reduction and/or inactivation.

Viruses

Although enteric viruses can be responsible for severe and, in some cases, fatal illnesses, it is not possible to establish MACs for enteric viruses in drinking water at this time. Treatment technologies and watershed or wellhead protection measures known to reduce the risk of waterborne outbreaks should be implemented and maintained if source water is subject to faecal contamination or if enteric viruses have been responsible for past waterborne outbreaks. Where treatment is required, treatment technologies should achieve at least a 4-log reduction and/or inactivation of viruses.

For more details on Canadian Guidelines for drinking water click Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality.

What’s The Chance Of Getting A Positive Result For Legionella Tests?

Legionella Tests Question: Hi, I am a student working on an environmental research project on Legionella tests. I’m considering to have some water sample tested for Legionella species especially Legionella pneumophila. From your experience, what is the chance of getting a positive result for the Legionella tests? How much does the tests cost, for both PCR and culturable methods?

Thank you for your attention.

Answer: Legionella species are ubiquitous in natural and artificial water environments worldwide. They survive in a wide range of environmental conditions. Chances of getting positive results for Legionella tests from water depends on the following:

  • The Source of water. Legionella species thrive at temperatures between 20 °C and 50 °C. Therefore, the bacteria are rarely found in municipal water supplies. They tend to colonize warm water systems and point-of-use devices, particularly hot-water systems.
  • Isolation method. Legionella species are usually a very minor component of the total bacterial population in environmental samples and are rarely present in high numbers. Thus, it’s possible to get negative Legionella tests results if the bacteria in the sample were not concentrated prior to analysis.
  • Concentration: Legionella may be present in concentrations too low to be detected using culture methods.
Legionella tests
Legionella test

The cost of Legionella tests depends on the level of identification required. There are many labs that carry out Legionella tests but some if not most are not accredited.  To minimize false-positive results for Legionella tests, it’s important to use a qualified accredited laboratory.

Mold & Bacteria Consulting Laboratories (MBL) performs several Legionella tests every year. Currently we use cultural methods for Legionella identification. We’re accredited by the Canadian Association for Laboratory Accreditation (CALA) to ISO/IEC 17025:2005. MBL is also certified in the analysis of Legionella bacteria by the prestigious Environmental Legionella Isolation Techniques Evaluation (ELITE) program of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

For pricing please call 905-290-9101 in Ontario.

Health Hazards in Pools, Hot Tubs and Spas

Pools, hot tubs and spas occasionally get contaminated with harmful bacteria such as E. coli, Legionella pneumophila, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Mycobacterium avium, Streptococcus and Salmonella. These bacteria are known to cause serious diseases in humans such as infection of the skin, eyes, ears, hair follicles, intestines and urinary tract.

More serious illnesses are the Legionaires’ Disease and Pontiac Fever acquired from inhaling airborne Legionella cells. This occurs when Legionella becomes airborne by way of aerosol mists produced in spas and hot tubs.

Legionella bacteria are able to survive in low temperatures, but thrive at temperatures between 20oC and 45oC. Legionella cannot survive at temperatures of 60oC and above.

Legionella: Health Effects, Occurrence and Sampling

Health effects of Legionella

In 1976, in Philadelphia, USA, over 200 attendees of the US-American Legion, developed pneumonia. The disease was later called “Legionnaires’ disease”. The causative agent, a Gram-negative bacterium, was named Legionella pneumophila. Legionella pneumophila causes 85-90% of all cases of Legionella infections (legionellosis). There are over 40 species of Legionella.

Legionella pneumophila can cause very severe infection of the respiratory system. However, Legionnaires’ disease epidemics are rare but the disease is fatal if untreated. The disease may develop within 2 to 13 days (average 5-6 days).

Another form of legionellosis is Pontiac fever, named after an outbreak in 1968 in Pontiac, USA. This form of disease, caused by a number of Legionella species, is milder than Legionnaires’ disease. Pontiac fever develops within 48 to 72 hours and the illness may clear in 2-5 days. No fatal cases have been reported in relation to Pontiac fever. This disease mainly appears as epidemics. Pontiac fever is believed to be a reaction to inhaled Legionella antigens rather than an infection.

Disease transmission

There is no evidence for transmission of legionellosis from person to person or by ingestion. Legionella infection occurs when people inhale the bacterium via fine water droplets as aerosols from the environment. Indoor transmission of legionellosis has been reported via contaminated hot water supplies in hospitals, hotels and other public buildings, respiratory therapy equipment, jacuzzis, spas and air-humidifiers.

Occurrence

Legionella bacteria are part of the natural aquatic bacterial population of lakes and rivers. They are present in all types of fresh water, including tap water. Legionella multiply in water, using other microorganisms like bacteria, algae and protozoa. Their concentration in fresh water is influenced mainly by the temperature. They are isolated more frequently and in higher concentrations from warm water (30 to 50 °C.). However, Legionella also survive at much lower temperatures indoors as well as outdoors. At temperatures above 60 °C Legionella can’t survive.

Sampling Of Legionella

Sampling of Legionella in indoor air or water on a routine basis is not recommended. However, sampling is recommended to:

  • determine the source of outbreaks of legionellosis
  • check the effectiveness of maintenance practices and control measures for hot water supplies and humidified ventilation systems
  • guarantee the safe use of hot water supplies and humidified ventilation systems.

When investigating the water services within a building for Legionella, the condition of pipes, the joining methods used, the presence of lagging, sources of heat, and the standard of protection afforded tanks should be noted, as well as disconnected fittings, ‘dead-ends’, and cross-connections with other services.Water Sampling
Water samples should be collected in sterile autoclavable plastic containers. The samples should be taken from:

  • the incoming supply;
  • tanks;
  • an outlet close to, but downstream of, each tank;
  • the distant point of each service;
  • the water entering and leaving any fitting under particular suspicion.

Surface Sampling
Using swabs, surface samples should be taken from shower heads, pipes and taps. Also, sludge, slime or sediments within building water services or humidifiers can also be collected, particularly where accumulation occurs.

Sample Handling and Storage
Samples should be stored at room temperature (20 ± 5 °C.) in the dark and should be processed within 2 days. That means the samples should be sent to the laboratory within 24 hours. It is also important to confirm with the lab that they have the necessary media before sampling is done.

Air sampling
The presence of Legionella in indoor air can be investigated using Reuter Centrifugal Sampler (RCS) or the Andersen sampler. Regardless of the sampler used, the recommended sampling agar at present is BCYE-agar.

References

  1. Flannigan, B., R.A. Samson, and J.D. Miller (Editors). Microorganisms in home and indoor work environments: diversity, health impacts, investigation and control. 2001. London, UK: Taylor & Francis (ISBN: 0-415-26800-1).
  2. Wanner, H-U, AP Verhoeff, A Colombi, B Flannigan, S Gravesen, A Mouilleseux, A Nevalainen, J Papadakis, and K Seidel. 1993. Biological Particles in Indoor Environments. Indoor Air Quality and Its Impact On Man. Brussels: Commission of the European Communities. Report No. 12.

For more information on indoor bacteria, please visit http://www.moldbacteria.com/ or call 905-290-101.

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