Chapter II

Review of Related Literature

This chapter presents the related literature after the meticulous search done by the

researchers.

Safe and readily available water is important for public health, whether it is used for

drinking, domestic use, food production or recreational purposes. Improved water supply and

sanitation, and better management of water resources, can boost countries’ economic growth and

can contribute greatly to poverty reduction. One of the major contributor to the problem of some

diseases is contaminated drinking water. As much as we need water in order to function, we are

also oblivious to the sanity of what we are drinking. Despite all the efforts to address the problem,

to spread awareness regarding the problem, contaminated water is estimated to cause 502,200

diarrheal deaths per year (World Health Organization, 2017).

Drinking water properly treated or obtained from a relatively clean source may become

contaminated in the water distribution. When water supply is turned off, contaminants from outside

can sweep into leaky underground pipes and are carried through the distribution system when

supply is turned on again (Mashiatulliah, et al., 1993).

A primary reason that many water utilities become concerned with biofilms in drinking

water systems is due to growth of coliform bacteria in the pipe network. Biofilms in drinking water

pipe networks can be responsible for a wide range of water quality and operational problems.

Biofilms can be responsible for loss of distribution system disinfectant residuals, increased
bacterial levels, reduction of dissolved oxygen, taste and odor changes, red or black water

problems due to iron or sulfate-reducing bacteria, microbial-influenced corrosion, hydraulic

roughness, and reduced materials life (Characklis and Marshal, 1990).

Coliform bacteria are unlikely to cause illness. However, their presence in drinking water

indicates that disease-causing organisms (pathogens) could be in the water system. Testing

drinking water for all possible pathogens is complex, time-consuming, and expensive. It is easy

and inexpensive to test for coliform bacteria. If testing detects coliform bacteria in a water sample,

water systems search for the source of contamination and restore safe drinking water. Total

coliform bacteria are common in the environment (soil or vegetation) and are generally harmless.

If a lab detects only total coliform bacteria in drinking water, the source is probably environmental

and fecal contamination is unlikely. However, if environmental contamination can enter the

system, pathogens could get in too. It is important to find and resolve the source of the

contamination (Department of Health, 2016).

Turbidity is not so much a health concern as an indicator of health risk. Science has proven

that as turbidity increases, the risk to human health also increases—particularly for at-risk

populations such as newborns, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems.

Bacteria and viruses can attach themselves to the suspended particles in turbid water (South East

Kelowna Irrigation District, n.d.).

References

Department of Health. (April, 2016). Coliform Bacteria and Drinking Water. Retrieved March 8,

2018, from https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/Pubs/331-181.pdf

Department of Microbiology, Stamford University Bangladesh. (August, 2013). Microbiological

Study of Drinking Water: Qualitative and Quantitative Approach. Retrieved March 8, 2018

from

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/256324343_Microbiological_study_of_

drinking_water_Qualitative_and_quantitative_approach

LeChevallier, M. (1999). Biofilms in Drinking Water Distribution Systems: Significance and South

Control. Identifying Future Drinking Water Contaminants. Pg. 2016.

East Kelowna Irrigation District. (n.d.). Turbidity and Health Risk. Retrieved March 8, 2018,

from https://www.sekid.ca/water-quality/turbidity/

World Health Organization. (July, 2017). Drinking Water (fact sheet). Retrieved March 8, 2018,

from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs391/en/