Physical, chemical and microbiological analysis of water in the villages which are connected to the central district of Zonguldak

Throughout the ages water has been an indispensable element for human as a source of life. Water which is the source of life may also be the source of infection when is contaminated by various influences. Reaching to safe water is a fundamental right of all people and providing healthy water is a public duty. Now a days most of underground water and surface water resources are under the threat of pollution. Zonguldak, which has a rainy climate, is rich in water resources. Due to it's geographical structure, Zonguldak has many scattered villages. In those villages in the province of Zonguldak, uncertain number of water sources are used as drinking water in an uncontrolled way. With in the scope of this cross sectional-descriptive study, information about the various features of the villages and water resources had been learned by getting in touch with the village headman of 23 villages which were connected to the central district of Zonguldak. Also within the working budget, actively used water samples had been taken from 7 different village fountains by simple random sampling. In these studies, it was aimed to see if the samples were in compliance with the request of the 'Regulation on Water Intended for Human Consumption' or not. And water sample analysis had been done in Zonguldak Public Health Laboratory and the University of Bulent Ecevit Science, Technology and Research Center. The average population of 23 villages is 461283. Water is provided by a network system in all 23 villages. In all these 23 villages, except for network systems, water which is used is obtained from sources around the villages and delivered to the fountains with drawn lines. Of 161 water samples taken from the fountains; The pH value was changing between 6,50-8,79 and also electrical conductivity was changing between 21-1020 µS/cm. In all 161 samples of water, taste and odor properties, pH and electrical conductivity values were suitable to the criteria of Regulation on Water Intended for Human Consumption. The amount of free residual chlorine in any of the 161 samples did not comply with standards. In terms of 34 of the samples (21,1%) turbidity, 20 of the samples (12,4%) aluminum, 3 of the samples color parameters weren't convenient with the provisions of the "Regulation on Water Intended for Human Consumption." Of 161 water sample, in terms of 129 (80,1%) coliform bacteria, 74 (46%) E. coli, 14 (8,7%) Cl. Perfringens (+ Apicomplexa) were not convenient with the provisions of "Regulation on Water Intended for Human Consumption." In 161 water samples, according to the provisions of "Regulation on Water Intended for Human Consumption", 131 of them (81,4 %) weren't suitable to drink or use but 30 of them (18,6%) were suitable. The pollution level of coliform bacteria and E. Coli were higher in the communal village fountains than the fountains which were built in front of the houses by people and the difference was significant. In water samples, it was detected that the condition to protect the starting point of the source didn't have any significant influence on the pollution of coliform bacteria, E. coli and C. Perfringens. As a result, It was found that the village fountains were in pretty bad shape in terms of microbiological contamination. It must be understood that the legend of water in villages and village fountains is natural and healthy isn't real by users. All sectors of the public health and health care must have important roles on the eduaction of Infrastructure, disinfection, inspection and community. Keywords: Spring water, microbiological pollution, environmental health