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

Author

Listed:
  • Osvalda De Giglio

    (Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy)

  • Giuseppina Caggiano

    (Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy)

  • Francesco Bagordo

    (Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, Via per Monteroni, Campus Ecotekne, Monteroni di Lecce, 73047 Lecce, Italy)

  • Giovanna Barbuti

    (Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy)

  • Silvia Brigida

    (Water Research Institute, National Research Council, Viale Francesco de Blasio 5, 70132 Bari, Italy)

  • Federica Lugoli

    (Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, Via per Monteroni, Campus Ecotekne, Monteroni di Lecce, 73047 Lecce, Italy)

  • Tiziana Grassi

    (Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, Via per Monteroni, Campus Ecotekne, Monteroni di Lecce, 73047 Lecce, Italy)

  • Giuseppina La Rosa

    (National Institute of Health, Department of Environment and Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00100 Rome, Italy)

  • Luca Lucentini

    (National Institute of Health, Department of Environment and Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00100 Rome, Italy)

  • Vito Felice Uricchio

    (Water Research Institute, National Research Council, Viale Francesco de Blasio 5, 70132 Bari, Italy)

  • Antonella De Donno

    (Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, Via per Monteroni, Campus Ecotekne, Monteroni di Lecce, 73047 Lecce, Italy)

  • Maria Teresa Montagna

    (Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy)

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., Escherichia coli and Salmonella ) 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., E. coli , Salmonella , 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.

Suggested Citation

  • Osvalda De Giglio & Giuseppina Caggiano & Francesco Bagordo & Giovanna Barbuti & Silvia Brigida & Federica Lugoli & Tiziana Grassi & Giuseppina La Rosa & Luca Lucentini & Vito Felice Uricchio & Antone, 2017. "Enteric Viruses and Fecal Bacteria Indicators to Assess Groundwater Quality and Suitability for Irrigation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-13, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:14:y:2017:i:6:p:558-:d:99533
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Francesca Serio & Lucia Martella & Giovanni Imbriani & Adele Idolo & Francesco Bagordo & Antonella De Donno, 2021. "The Water Safety Plan Approach: Application to Small Drinking-Water Systems—Case Studies in Salento (South Italy)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-21, April.
    2. Graziela Picciola Bordoni & Lucas Candido Gonçalves Barbosa & Thais Reis Oliveira & Fernando Santos Lima & Viviane Monteiro Goes & Mariely Cordeiro Estrela & Priscila Zanette de Souza & Mônica de Oliv, 2023. "Prevalence of Enterovirus in Water Consumed in Rural Areas in a State in the Midwest Region of Brazil," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-20, June.
    3. Guy Roussel Takuissu & Sebastien Kenmoe & Jean Thierry Ebogo-Belobo & Cyprien Kengne-Ndé & Donatien Serge Mbaga & Arnol Bowo-Ngandji & Juliette Laure Ndzie Ondigui & Raoul Kenfack-Momo & Serges Tchatc, 2023. "Occurrence of Hepatitis A Virus in Water Matrices: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-16, January.
    4. Xiaotong Wen & Huilie Zheng & Fang Yuan & Hui Zhu & Duyi Kuang & Zhiqiang Shen & Yuanan Lu & Zhaokang Yuan, 2019. "Comparative Study of Two Methods of Enteric Virus Detection and Enteric Virus Relationship with Bacterial Indicator in Poyang Lake, Jiangxi, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-15, September.

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