The microbial and physicochemical quality of the storage tanks and distribution networks of drinking water in the villages of Saqqez in Kurdistan province, Iran (2018)

Lack of access to safe drinking water is an important health concern in developing countries. The present study aimed to investigate the microbial and physicochemical quality of the drinking water storage tanks and distribution networks in the villages of Saqqez in Kurdistan province, Iran in the summer of 2018. This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted by sample collection from the storage tanks and distribution networks in 20 villages covered by Saqqez Rural Water and Wastewater Company during three months. Chemical tests were performed based on titration, and physical tests were carried out using instrumental methods. The culture of the specimens was performed to determine the total and fecal coliforms using the most probable number (MPN method. Data were analyzed in SPSS and Excel software. In 100% of the storage tank samples, total and thermophilic coliforms were within the national and international standards. In the distribution networks, 11.67% and 33.3% of the samples had higher total and thermophilic coliforms than these standards, respectively. The residual chlorine parameter was higher than the national standards in 15% of the storage tank samples and 25.03% of the distribution network samples. Turbidity, total hardness, chloride, electrical conductivity, pH, and TDS in the storage tanks and distribution networks were in accordance with the national and international standards. All the physical and chemical parameters (except for chlorine residues) were within the national and international standards, and the maximum total and fecal coliforms were six MPN, which could be maintained in the standard range via chlorination.