Abstract
Well water requires chemical, physical-chemical, and microbiological analysis to ensure that the water used for irrigation or for human consumption presents no specific risks. The aim of the present work was to determine the microbiological risk of samples taken from wells in south-central Sardinia. In this survey, 55 water samples were taken from private wells in the period from 2014 to 2018. Quality was assessed through the detection of the parameters required by national law. The analysis of the data showed that only 36.4% of the samples (20 wells) complied with legal limits for water for human consumption. The most isolated species was P. aeruginosa, present in 29.1%; its high concentration and recorded Coliforms suggest that the disinfection of the wells was insufficient or not performed properly if implemented. Such data suggest the need to pay more attention to the waters used not only for human consumption but also for irrigation, since the cultivated vegetables could become a vehicle for potentially pathogenic microorganisms. National legislation sets contamination limits only for water intended for human consumption and not for irrigation water. However, based on these considerations, it appears necessary to develop reference standards for irrigation water.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bagordo, F., Migoni, D., Grassi, T., Serio, F., Idolo, A., Guido, M., Zaccarelli, N., Fanizzi, F. P., & De Donno, A. (2016). Using the DPSIR framework to identify factors influencing the quality of groundwater in Grecìa Salentina (Puglia, Italy). Rend. Fis. Acc. Lincei, 27, 113–125. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12210-015-0456-8.
Benedict, K. M., Reses, H., Vigar, M., Roth, D. M., Roberts, V. A., Mattioli, M., Cooley, L. A., Hilborn, E. D., Wade, T. J., Fullerton, K. E., Yoder, J. S., & Hill, V. R. (2017). Morbidity and mortality weekly report surveillance for waterborne disease outbreaks associated with drinking water — United States, 2013–2014. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 66(44), 2013–2014. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6644a3.
D. Lgs 31 (2001).D.Lgs 31/2001. Acque Destinate Al Consumo Umano. https://www.camera.it/parlam/leggi/deleghe/01031dl.htm. Accessed 29 Apr 2020.
De Donno, A., Bagordo, F., Serio, F., Grassi, T., Devoti, G., & Guido, M. (2017). Environmental quality and hygienic safety of the Alimini Lakes (Puglia, Italy): 20 years of monitoring (1995-2014). Rend. Fis. Acc. Lincei, 28, 317–328. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12210-016-0557-z.
De Giglio, O., Barbuti, G., Trerotoli, P., Brigida, S., Calabrese, A., Di Vittorio, G., Lovero, G., Caggiano, G., Uricchio, V. F., & Montagna, M. T. (2016). Microbiological and hydrogeological assessment of groundwater in southern Italy. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 188, 638. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-016-5655-y.
De Giglio, O., Caggiano, G., Bagordo, F., Barbuti, G., Brigida, S., Lugoli, F., Grassi, T., La Rosa, G., Lucentini, L., Uricchio, V. F., De Donno, A., & Montagna, M. T. (2017). Enteric viruses and fecal bacteria indicators to assess groundwater quality and suitability for irrigation. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(6), 558. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14060558.
DeSimone, L. (2009). Quality of water from domestic wells in principal aquifers of the United States, 1991–2004. Reston: U.S. Geological Survey. https://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/circ1332/includes/circ1332.pdf. Accessed 29 Apr 2020.
Galli Volonterio, A. 2009. Microbiologia Degli Alimenti. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana.
Gandy, J. (2015). Water intake: Validity of population assessment and recommendations. European Journal of Nutrition, 54(2), 11–16. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-015-0944-8.
Hussain, M. R., & Abed, B. (2019). Simulation and assessment of groundwater for domestic and irrigation uses. Civil Engineering Journal, 5, 1877–1892. https://doi.org/10.28991/cej-2019-03091379.
Knobeloch, L., Gorski, P., Christenson, M., & Anderson, H. (2013). Private drinking water quality in rural Wisconsin. Journal of Environmental Health, 75, 16–20. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23505770. Accessed 29 Apr 2020.
Lugoli, F., Leopizzi, M. I., Bagordo, F., Grassi, T., Guido, M., & De Donno, A. (2011). Widespread microbiological groundwater contamination in the south-eastern Salento (Puglia-Italy). Journal of Environmental Monitoring, 13(1), 192–200. https://doi.org/10.1039/c0em00193g.
Moreira, N. A., & Bondelind, M. (2017). Safe drinking water and waterborne outbreaks. Journal of Water and Health, 15(1), 83–96. https://doi.org/10.2166/wh.2016.103.
Mukhopadhyay, C., Vishwanath, S., Eshwara, V. K., Shankaranarayana, S. A., & Sagir, A. (2012). Microbial quality of well water from rural and urban households in Karnataka, India: A cross-sectional study. Journal of Infection and Public Health, 5(3), 257–262. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jiph.2012.03.004.
National Health Institute. 2010. “Access to water, sanitation and global health.” https://www.epicentro.iss.it/ambiente/acqua2010. Accessed 29 April 2020.
Nkansah, M. A., Donkoh, M., Akoto, O., & Ephraim, J. (2019). Preliminary studies on the use of sawdust and peanut shell powder as adsorbents for phosphorus removal from water. Emerging Science Journal, 3(33). https://doi.org/10.28991/esj-2019-01166.
O'Dwyer, J., Hynds, P. D., Byrne, K. A., Ryan, M. P., & Adley, C. C. (2018). Development of a hierarchical model for predicting microbiological contamination of private groundwater supplies in a geologically heterogeneous region. Environmental Pollution, 237, 329–338. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2018.02.052.
Rummel, B., Swistock, C., & Sharpe, W. E. (2013). Water quality and management of private drinking water wells in Pennsylvania. Journal of Environmental Health, 75, 60–66. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23397651. Accessed 29 Apr 2020.
Sanna, A., Meloni, B., Ruggeri, A., Succa, S., Sanna, C., Carraro, V., & Coroneo, V. (2016). Microbiological quality of the water used in agriculture in Sardinia. Annali di Igiene, 28(2), 158–170. https://doi.org/10.7416/ai.2016.2094.
Solangi, G. S., Siyal, A. A., & Pirah, S. (2019). Analysis of Indus Delta groundwater and surface water suitability for domestic and irrigation purposes. Civil Engineering Journal, 5, 1599–1608. https://doi.org/10.28991/cej-2019-03091356.
Swistock, P. D., Sharpe, B. R., & Robillard, W. E. (1993). A survey of lead, nitrate and radon contamination of private individual water systems in Pennsylvania. Journal of Environmental Health, 55, 6–13. https://www.jstor.org/stable/44535437?seq=1. Accessed 29 Apr 2020.
Yuluğ, N., & Tuğ, A. (1988). Microbiological analysis of well water samples in the rural areas near Ankara. Mikrobiyoloji Bülteni, 22(2), 164 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3078793.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Research involving human participants and/or animals
N/A
Informed consent
N/A
Additional information
Publisher’s note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Marras, L., Bertolino, G., Sanna, A. et al. Potential issues of well water in domestic use in a retrospective study from 2014 to 2018. Environ Monit Assess 192, 408 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-020-08388-x
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-020-08388-x