Assessment of microbiological quality of untreated drinking water at Omdurman Province, Sudan

الملخص EN

Assessment of drinking water quality at West Omdurman was the main objective of this study.

The west region of Omdurman province was selected as an area of study for its high population density and as an important animal trade center.

Three water samples from each of eight sites at west Omdurman were taken for bacteriological analysis using the faecal coliform Most Probable Number (MPN) and the Total Viable Count (TVC) methods.

Obtained data was analyzed statistically against standard values for public water supplies.

The study revealed that four sites were compatible with the accept-able standard faecal MPN figures.

One site, which was El Sheik Abuzaid, was found to be extremely polluted.

The other three remaining sites revealed the presence of faecal coliform at a significant and alarming level.

All sites exhibited high TVC reflecting the bad technical quality of water therein.

Recommendations were made to use chlorination in all sites and to check and cease all malpractices of using ground water tables as sites for sanitation systems disposals.

The study emphasized the need for assessment of drinking water in Sudan at large.