An Investigation of Parasitic Protozoa in Drinking Water in Samarra, Iraq

Protozoan parasites are very important in drinking water production systems because their cystic forms are stable in the environment and resistant to conventional disinfection methods. The present study aimed to investigate protozoan parasites in the drinking water of different places in Samarra, Iraq. To this end, 100 samples of tap drinking water were collected from 10 places in Samarra, Iraq (i.e., Al-Sekek, Al-Kadesia, Alzeraa, Al-Shuhdaa, Al-Muthana, Al-Shorta, Al-Mamal, Al-Khedraa, Al-Efraz, and Al-Jubereaa), from the beginning of December to the end of February. After sample collection, water samples were examined to detect oocysts or cysts of protozoan parasites by using Direct wet smear, Lugol’s iodine, and Modified Ziehle Nelseen stain methods. The results indicate that 80% of the samples under investigation were infected with protozoan parasites, and the ratio of diagnostic parasites in the samples under investigation was determined at 36% with Entamoeba histolytica, 23% with Giardia lamblia, and 21% with Cryptosporidium parvum. The findings reveal the presence of protozoan parasites in the drinking water of the area under study and specify the need for a rapid improvement of the monitoring systems for the treatment of drinking water to control diseases caused by these pathogens, as well as to identify the sources of contamination.