Bacteriological Quality of Drinking Water Obtained from Mosques in Tripoli, Libya

Objectives: This study was carried out to determine the bacteriological quality of drinking water provided for worshipers by Mosques in Tripoli and the susceptibility of isolated bacteria to antimicrobial agents. Methods: Water samples taken from 50 mosques were examined for coliform, Escherichia coli, Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas sp. and fecal streptococci counts. Also, samples were investigated for the presence of Aeromonas sp., Klebsiella sp. and Pseudomonas sp. Isolated bacteria were tested for their resistance to antibiotics by the disc diffusion method. Results: Mean counts for coliforms, E. coli, Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas sp. were 2.2 x 10 2 , 6.2 x10 1 , 2.5 x 10 3 and 2.8 x 10 2 respectively. Fecal streptococci not detected. E. coli was detected in 7 (14%) samples, Klebsiella sp. in 13 (26%), Aeromonas in 9 (18%) and Pseudomonas sp. in 32 (64%). More than 79% of the bacteria examined were resistant to at least one antibiotic. Conclusion: Presence of antibiotic-resistant pathogenic bacteria is not uncommon in drinking water provided for worshipers by mosques in Tripoli, Libya and may pose a health hazard to users of such water, particularly the aged and the immunocompromised.