MICROBIOLOGICAL AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL ANALYSES OF SUPPLIED WATER IN SELECTED DAIRY FARMS OF DHAKA CITY

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the quality of supplied drinking water for dairy farm in selected farms of Dhaka city by considering the microbiological and physicochemical parameters. The study areas comprised of 5 different locations in Dhaka city namely 60 feet area, Mirpur-1, Mirpur-2, Kalshi and Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU) campus area. Samples were collected randomly from each site in four replicates. Microbiological analyses were conducted in laboratory of Medicine and Public Health (MEPH), SAU and physicochemical analyses were conducted in ACI Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory. Load of coliform bacteria, E. coli, Balantidia and Giardia were taken into account under microbiological parameter. pH level, concentration of TDS, hardness, chlorides and iron were analyzed for physicochemical parameters. The study showed that the prevalence of coliform bacteria and E. coli were 100% and the bacterial load were higher than the maximum safety limit for cattle in all study area. Among those sites, concentration of coliform (2.63×10 8 ) and E. coli (7.05×10 7 ) were highest in the water of Mirpur-1, and lowest in SAU campus area. However, no Giardia and Balantidia were present in these samples of these study area. The physicochemical studies showed that water samples of 60 feet area held the highest concentration of TDS (397.00

± 6.27) and chloride (0.95

± 0.06), and lowest pH value (6.13±0.05). Water of all study sites contained higher iron concentration than recommended safety margin where Mirpur-1 contained highest concentration of iron (0.97

± 0.04) while Mirpur-2 contained lowest (0.78

± 0.02). The water of Mirpur-2 contained highest value of pH (6.70±0.14) and hardness (165.00

± 2.45). The water samples of kalshi showed lowest concentration of chlorides (0.52

± 0.02) and hardness (75.00± 4.08). The water of SAU cams area held lowest level of TDS (307.50

± 6.46). Concentration of all physicochemical quality factors (pH, TDS, hardness, chlorides) lied within the expected ranges except iron. Compendium of this study disclosed that the supplied water quality of dairy farm in selected area of Dhaka city is good apart from higher bacterial load (Coliform and E. coli) and iron concentration which have inverse impact on health and production of cattle. Consequently, water quality of SAU campus area is comparatively better and Mirpur-1 is comparatively poorer than other study areas. This study recommended that water of Dhaka city should be treated for minimizing the iron concentration and good water management should be exerted to reduce the bacterial contamination for enhancing better health and performance of dairy farm in Dhaka city.