Enteric Viruses and Fecal Bacteria Indicators to Assess Groundwater Quality and Suitability for Irrigation

Overview

Journal Int J Environ Res Public Health

Publisher MDPI

Specialties Environmental Health
Public Health

Date 2017 May 25

PMID 28538682

Citations 17

Authors

Osvalda De Giglio

Giuseppina Caggiano

Francesco Bagordo

Giovanna Barbuti

Silvia Brigida

Federica Lugoli

Tiziana Grassi

Giuseppina La Rosa

Luca Lucentini

Vito Felice Uricchio

Antonella De Donno

Maria Teresa Montagna

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

According to Italian Ministerial Decree No. 185 of 12 June 2003, water is considered suitable for irrigation if levels of fecal bacteria (i.e., and ) are within certain parameters. The detection of other microorganisms is not required. The aim of this study is to determine the bacteriological quality of groundwater used for irrigation and the occurrence of enteric viruses (Norovirus, Enterovirus, Rotavirus, Hepatovirus A), and to compare the presence of viruses with the fecal bacteria indicators. A total of 182 wells was analyzed. Widespread fecal contamination of Apulian aquifers was detected (141 wells; 77.5%) by the presence of fecal bacteria (i.e., , , total coliforms, and enterococci). Considering bacteria included in Ministerial Decree No. 185, the water from 35 (19.2%) wells was unsuitable for irrigation purposes. Among 147 wells with water considered suitable, Norovirus, Rotavirus, and Enterovirus were detected in 23 (15.6%) wells. No Hepatovirus A was isolated. Consequently, 58 wells (31.9%) posed a potential infectious risk for irrigation use. This study revealed the inadequacy of fecal bacteria indicators to predict the occurrence of viruses in groundwater and it is the first in Italy to describe the presence of human rotaviruses in well water used for irrigation.

Citing Articles

Distributions of Fecal Indicators at Aquaculture Areas in a Bay of Republic of Korea.

Park S, Lee C, Jang S, Cho K, Kim J, Kim W J Microbiol Biotechnol. 2024; 34(11):2223-2230.

PMID: 39467695 PMC: 11637822. DOI: 10.4014/jmb.2406.06001.

Rotavirus in Water Environments: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Awere-Duodu A, Donkor E Environ Health Insights. 2024; 18:11786302241276667.

PMID: 39439598 PMC: 11494518. DOI: 10.1177/11786302241276667.

Factors Influencing Microbial Contamination of Groundwater: A Systematic Review of Field-Scale Studies.

Bagordo F, Brigida S, Grassi T, Caputo M, Apollonio F, De Carlo L Microorganisms. 2024; 12(5).

PMID: 38792743 PMC: 11124417. DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12050913.

Occurrence of Hepatitis A Virus in Water Matrices: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Takuissu G, Kenmoe S, Ebogo-Belobo J, Kengne-Nde C, Mbaga D, Bowo-Ngandji A Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023; 20(2).

PMID: 36673812 PMC: 9859052. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20021054.

The Geological Characteristics of the Vadose Zone Influence the Impact of Treated Wastewater on the Groundwater Quality (SCA.Re.S. Project 2019-2020).

De Giglio O, Triggiano F, Apollonio F, Pousis C, Calia C, Diella G Pathogens. 2022; 11(6).

PMID: 35745531 PMC: 9228818. DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11060677.

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