Comparison of Microbial Quality Between Traditional Drinking Fountains and Drinking Fountains with Disposable Straw in Educational Facilities of Yazd University of Medical Sciences Campus

Sara Payedar   Ardakani; Somayeh Rezaeei  Abgholi; Fahimeh  Teimouri; Maryam Zare  Khofri; Safiya  Narouei; Mahboubeh  Shiranian

doi:10.18502/tbj.v24i5.21977

Sara Payedar Ardakani Bachelor of Science, Student Research Committee, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
Somayeh Rezaeei Abgholi Bachelor of Science, Student Research Committee, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
Fahimeh Teimouri Associate Professor, Environmental Science and Technology Research Center, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
Maryam Zare Khofri Bachelor of Science, Student Research Committee, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
Safiya Narouei Master Science student of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Student Research Committee, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
Mahboubeh Shiranian Master Science in Environmental Health Engineering, Environmental Science and Technology Research Center, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/tbj.v24i5.21977

Keywords: Drinking Water, Sanitation, Microbiota, Chlorine, Reference Standards

Abstract

Introduction: Regarding the importance of providing healthy drinking water, specially in public places, his study compared the microbial and physicochemical qualities of water from traditional drinking fountains and drinking fountains with disposable straw at educational facilities affiliated with Yazd University of Medical Sciences.

Methods: Conducted as a descriptive analysis over summer and winter, the research involved 12 drinking fountains, in educational centers affiliated with Yazd University of Medical Sciences. Measured parameters included total coliform, fecal coliform, fungi, heterotrophic plate count (HPC), as well as physicochemical parameters such as pH, turbidity, and residual free chlorine.

Results: Results showed that pH, total coliform, fecal coliform, and fungi were at zero levels across all samples. The mean turbidity in output water was 0/38 ± 0/645 NTU for traditional drinking fountains and 0/45 ± 0/68 NTU for drinking fountains with disposable straw, with significantly higher turbidity observed in winter compared to summer (p=0/007). The mean residual free chlorine was consistently low in both the drinking fountains (0/12 ± 0/035 mg/L and 0/12 ± 0/08 mg/L, respectively), falling below the national standard range of 0/2–0/8 mg/L in most cases. While HPC counts showed some increase, they remained within acceptable limits.

Conclusion: The study concluded that all microbial indicators and pH turbidity complied with national standards. However, the observed rise in HPC and reduction in residual chlorine were potentially attributed to water stagnation in water reservoirs and the campus's location at the endpoint of the water supply network. The findings underscore the necessity for daily and regular monitoring of drinking fountains to maintain quality, particularly during the winter season.