CONSUMPTION OF RAW WATER – THE HEALTH RISKS RELATED TO THE PRESENCE OF HEAVY METALS AND „ESCHERICHIA COLI“

Abstract

This research aimed to investigate the quality of drinking water from the rural area of village Pajsijević (Šumadija, central Serbia). The water is consumed as raw since it is not purified or chlorinated before consumption. The water was collected at three sampling points – in the spring of Kotlenik Mountain stream (W1 sample), in the local reservoir (W2 sample), and from the tap (W3 sample). Also, the sediment samples (soil and sand) were analyzed, too. The health risks related to the presence and concentration of some major and trace elements (Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Zn) and N, NO, NN3, NH4, P, P2O5, and PO4 were evaluated. Additionally, the presence and the number of total coliform bacteria and Escherichia coli (as an indicator of fecal contamination) were evaluated. The concentrations of analyzed major and trace elements in all water samples were below those at which toxic effects may occur. The exception was the concentrations of Fe (2.02 – 2012 mg/L), which were higher than is allowed. The origin of Fe in water is from sediment (soil and sand), which also showed high content of Fe (3006.0 mg/g and 2229.9 mg/g, respectively). The results of the Colorimetric test indicated the presence of coliform bacteria as well as the presence of E. coli in all water samples. Further research needs to include characterization of isolated coliform bacteria and serological investigation of E. coli strains in order to evaluate the risks of consumption related to waterborne illness.