Journal of Microbial & Biochemical Technology

Efficacy assessment of the ecological purification system use in Fiji

International Conference and Expo on Water Microbiology & Novel Technologies

July 18-19, 2016 Chicago, USA

Maneesha Rao

University of the South Pacific, Fiji

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Microb Biochem Technol

Abstract:

Treatment of drinking water is an integral aspect of the World Health Organization (WHO) regulations. This continues to be a challenge for developing countries like Fiji where a considerable number of rural residents lack access to treated public water supply, evident from the re-emergence of typhoid cases in 2014. The present study has been conducted to assess the efficacy of the Japanese water intervention called the Ecological Purification System which is used in some settlements of Fiji. The EPS is a modification of the traditional Slow Sand Filtration System with more emphasis on biological components such as algae, sunlight and oxygen as the added modes contaminant removal from water. The study compares levels of total coliform, E. coli, Salmonella, TSS, BOD and pH in 100 ml of water before and after treatment by EPS. After treatment, data analysis showed that 98% of the samples had non-detectable levels of E. coli where 50% of the water samples had E. coli ranging from 4-500 CFU/100 ml before treatment. Significant removal (P=0.03; 98% removal) of total coliform was also noted. TSS removal was insignificant (P=0.632) with significant decrease in pH (P=0.02) and insignificant difference to BOD (P=0.35) in the water after treatment. Preliminary detection of Salmonella was proved to be a false positive by confirmation tests. Hence, EPS is an effective device for removing coliform from water to safe levels. EPS effectiveness however, may vary depending on coliform population, contamination level of water, climatic patterns that may alter algal growth and the maturity and microbial population of the schmutzdecke (bio-layer).

Biography :

Email: maneesharao2@gmail.com