Contamination of Tap Water with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Legionella pneumophila, and Escherichia coli in Guilan, Iran

River and underground waters are main sources of tap water in Guilan, Iran. Overland wastes move into rivers during periods of heavy or extended rain that is very common in the area. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Legionella pneumophila, and Escherichia coli are main human pathogens with water source. This study is designed to determine the load of these bacteria in main water supplies of the area.
Samples were collected directly into sterile containers, concentrated by centrifuge, inoculated in enrichment medium and incubated for 3-4 days. DNA was extracted by using commercial kit. Several rounds of PCR was performed to search Pseudomonas aeroginosa, integron I, Metallo-β-lactamases gene, Legionella pneumoohila, mip gene, and Escherichia coli.
About 92.0% of the samples showed bacterial contamination as revealed by PCR with primers of 16S rRNAgene, 9.5% of the samples had L. pneumophila, and 11,1% had Pseudomonas aeruginosa, but Escherichia coli was not detected. We found the mip gene in 66.6% of the samples with L. pneumophila. Metallo-β-lactamasesgene was found in 11.1% of all samples. We also found Integrin 1 in 28.5% of the samples with Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
This study indicates that in spite of chlorination, total bacterial contamination of pot waters in the area is high and contamination with L. pneumophila and Pseudomonas aeroginosa is considerable. It might be related to the biofilm formation and the growth of water microflora. It seems that free residual chlorine is ineffective. We suggest a more effective decontamination procedure based on modern technology.