EVALUATION OF AL KABEER AL SHAMALI RIVER'S WATER SUITABILITY FOR DRINKING, BASED ON MODELING AND PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA DETECTION IN SYRIA

Abstract

Using river water as a source for drinking water is a big challenge. The aim of this study was to determine the fate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa "opportunistic bacteria " in Al Kabeer Al Shamali River and its correlation with drinking water quality (pH, Electrical conductivity, Turbidity, NO3-, NO2-, NH4+ and PO4-3) in three locations; lake inlet " Ghammam Bridge ", artificial (the 16th Tishreen Dam Lake, and the outlet Ain al-Bayda irrigation tunnel).  during the period 2018-2019 and 2019-2020. The membrane filtration technique was used to detect Ps. Aeruginosa. Results showed significant differences (p<0.05) between sites for Ps. Aeruginosa, EC, Tur and NO3- . The highest counts for Ps. aeruginosa recorded in Ghammam Bridge water reaching 290000 cfu/100 mL ​​in Jun and correlated with NH4+ (r =0.72).  Then counts decreased to 420 cfu/100 ml in May in 16 Tishreen Dam Lake water, due to stratification and environmental stresses. Ps. Aeruginosa counts were higher in lake outlet than 16th Dam Lake and reached 53000 cfu/ 100 ml in July, May due to the release from sediments. Canadian Water Quality Index CCME WQI showed that the lake inlet water is moderate class C (64). The waters of 16th Dam Lake and the outlet are of good grade II B due to sedimentation. These results provide the basis for choosing appropriate sterilization methods to reach health goals to connect this major water source to the drinking water network in Lattakia city