Microbiological Quality of Drinking Water in Amarja Reservoir Catchment, Aland Taluk, Karnataka, India

Geogenic and anthropogenic activities are the main reasons for the deterioration of groundwater quality. Different kinds of microbial pathogens present in drinking water are responsible for gastrointestinal and waterborne diarrhoeal diseases. The present study estimates the microbial quality of drinking water of Amarja reservoir catchment in Aland taluk, Karnataka, India. Thirty-two water samples were taken from different villages in the study area. Microbiological parameters like Escherichia coli and coliform bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, sulphite-reducing anaerobes and aerobic plate count at 37°C was analysed. The results showed that 18 of the 32 samples were positive for E. coli and total coliform, 17 samples for P. aeruginosa and 18 samples for sulphite-reducing anaerobes. Moreover, six samples were positive for both E. coli and sulphite-reducing anaerobes, whereas five samples were positive for sulphite-reducing anaerobes and P. aeruginosa.