Assessment of the microbiological and physicochemical quality of drinking water in Bargeh village, Gowharbaran district, and the impact of home treatment systems on water quality

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Environmental Health Engineering,, Shoushtar Faculty of Medical Sciences, Shoushtar, Iran

2 Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Golestan University of Medical Sciences

Abstract

Background and Aim: Access to safe drinking water in rural areas (Bargeh, Mazandaran province) is a serious challenge. This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of household water purification systems on drinking water quality.
Materials and Methods: In a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in 2022, 38 water samples were collected from the distribution network, household purification devices, and a local spring. Chemical parameters (pH, residual chlorine, TDS, EC, turbidity) and microbial parameters (total coliform, fecal coliform, heterotrophic bacteria) were examined according to national standards. The resulting data were analyzed using SPSS version 22 and Excel software, applying Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk tests for normality and Spearman correlation for associations.
Results: The results showed that the total coliform and fecal coliform counts in treated water samples surpassed the standard with MPN/100mL values of 94.9 and 5.7, respectively. The microbial quality of the spring water was also assessed as unsuitable, with mean total coliform, fecal coliform, and heterotrophic bacteria counts of 94.9 MPN/100mL, 25.9 MPN/100mL, and 1000 cfu/mL, respectively. The pH of tap water was within the standard range, but the pH measured at the output of purification devices was lower than the optimal value (pH = 6.9). The heterotrophic bacterial count in household purified water samples(218.96 cfu/mL) was higher than that in distribution network samples(57.1 cfu/mL).
Conclusion: This study emphasizes the necessity of continuous monitoring of water sources by responsible authorities, reassessment of the efficiency of existing purification devices, and educating local communities about water hygiene management to prevent waterborne diseases.

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Beyhagh
Volume 30, Issue 3
November 2025

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