Microbial Water Quality in Nablus District

The objective of this study was to evaluate drinking water quality to decide if drinking water is safe for drinking. Data of microbial drinking water examination in Nablus district in the year 1997, 2000. 2001 and 2003 at Environmental Health Department, Ministry of Health were analyzed and studied for the microbial contamination in order to assess drinking water quality. A total of 4031 samples were collected from the city, villages and camps in Nablus district and analyzed. Both the percentage of total coliform count and fecal coliform count (E-coli) were used as indicators for water quality, also the free chlorine residual was needed to be tested. Both indicators gave percentage higher than the recommended as safe drinking water by the WHO and PSI. The percentage of total coliform count (n/ 100 ml) were 23% in 1997, 30.6% in 2000, 11.5% in 2001 and 10.3% in 2003. The percentage of fecal coliform count (n/ 100 ml) were 43.1% in 1997, 33% in 2000, 10.4% in 2001 and 12.4% in 2003. Based on the percentage count of both indicators, a significant variation were observed on the quality of drinking water in areas studied. The percentage of total coliforms count (n/ 100 ml) were 13% in the city, 30.5% in villages and 18.7% in camps. While the percentage of fecal The objective of this study was to evaluate drinking water quality to decide if drinking water is safe for drinking. Data of microbial drinking water examination in Nablus district in the year 1997, 2000. 2001 and 2003 at Environmental Health Department, Ministry of Health were analyzed and studied for the microbial contamination in order to assess drinking water quality. A total of 4031 samples were collected from the city, villages and camps in Nablus district and analyzed. Both the percentage of total coliform count and fecal coliform count (E-coli) were used as indicators for water quality, also the free chlorine residual was needed to be tested. Both indicators gave percentage higher than the recommended as safe drinking water by the WHO and PSI. The percentage of total coliform count (n/ 100 ml) were 23% in 1997, 30.6% in 2000, 11.5% in 2001 and 10.3% in 2003. The percentage of fecal coliform count (n/ 100 ml) were 43.1% in 1997, 33% in 2000, 10.4% in 2001 and 12.4% in 2003. Based on the percentage count of both indicators, a significant variation were observed on the quality of drinking water in areas studied. The percentage of total coliforms count (n/ 100 ml) were 13% in the city, 30.5% in villages and 18.7% in camps. While the percentage of fecal