A study of the bacteriological quality of bottled and well water in Alkhums city, Libya

الملخص EN

Water is one of the most abundant and essential commodities for human life, and it should always be protected against microbial contamination.

The consumption of bottled drinking water has increased rapidly in Libya and all over world because people think it is safer than municipal water.

In this paper, we aimed to evaluate the quality of the bottled and well water in Alkhums city.

A total of 100 samples (50 bottled water and 50 well water) were analyzed for bacteriological quality.

All samples were tested for fecal coliform and E.

coli, and the isolates were identified using standard procedures.

All of the bottled drinking water samples distributed in Alkhums city were found to be safer than well water to drink.

Our study showed that the tested water did not exceed 23 cfu/ml which conformed to the Libyan Bottled Water Association [No: 10/2008(50-100 cfu/ml) for microbiological limits].

On the other hand, tested well water was found to be contaminated with E.

coli and fecal coliform