Bacteriological and Physicochemical Evaluation of Different Wells Water in El-Qalubia Governorate, Egypt

The provision of potable drinking water is of public health concern, especially in developing countries. This study aimed to test the bacteriological quality of well water in El-Qalubia governorate, Egypt. Untreated well water samples were collected from thirteen sites all over the governorate. The most probable number of tests (presumptive and confirmed tests) revealed that water is unpotable for drinking. Five pathogenic microorganisms were isolated from samples. These isolates were identified by biochemical and phytic tests as Klebsiella Pneumonia, Enterobacter sp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Citrobacter braaki, and E. coli. Antibiotic susceptibility test for these isolates confirmed their multidrug resistance. Thus, this study has shown a high level of bacterial contamination in all the samples. Hence, the need for good maintenance and hygienic practices by households to reduce the risk of disease outbreaks from the organisms encountered in this study.