Sonu Chouhan
The occurrence and survival of enteric bacteria in treated potable waters has been of great concern to health and well being of society. Present study reported the prevalence of Enteric Bacteria; Salmonella and Shigella in disinfected effluent entering the distribution system and which finally serving the end-users. Salmonella and Shigella were detected and quantified by Direct Plating Method from a total of seventy two samples from public water supply of Neemuch, Madhya Pradesh. Isolates were further characterized morphologically, culturally and biochemically. In raw influent, both the enteric groups showed presence in dense amounts in all the samples. Although treatment practices at the plant significantly reduced their concentrations (P<0.05), yet their numbers rose unexpectedly within the distribution system, consequently water distributed to consumers contained Salmonella and Shigella in concentrations nearly similar to those in raw influent water. Furthermore, no tested sample from the treatment plant and the points of consumption met recommended WHO and BIS health standards (zero pathogen/ml) (P<0.05), which presents potential health hazard and would place consumers at risk.
