Assessment of Microbiological Parameters of Water and Waste Waters In and Around Vijayawada

Abstract

The microbiological parameters of water and waste waters in and around Vijayawada were studied in the months of January-December 2012 for a period of one year from seven different sites. Selected sites are Krishna river water (site-I), exit canal near Vijayawada thermal power plant(site-II), canal near agricultural fields(site-III), water present in agricultural fields(site-IV), drain water near SIRIS company(site-V), drain water near railway station(site-VI) and drain water near bus stand(site-VII). Water samples were analyzed for various microbiological parameters using various techniques. Results revealed the existence of actinomycetes, fungi and bacteria in varying frequencies in different seasons. In all the sites, in all seasons except in site-II, the bacterial counts were more than the guide line value of 10/100ml indicating that total plate count and faecal coliform pollution was wide spread. Actinomycetes were predominant in Krishna river water and water present in agricultural fields while their number was negligible in drain waters. The number of fungal colonies in all the sites does not exceed the guide level number in majority of the months. The biochemical identification of the isolate in the Krishna river water sample showed the presence of E.coli, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Vibrio cholera. A routine treatment of the effluent before discharge is therefore highly recommended to maintain safe levels of the microbial pollutants.