Total and fecal coliform bacteria in animal drinking water

Abstract

The objective of the present experiment was to get information on the sanitary quality of water drunk by animals in the Botucatu region, S. Paulo State, Brazil. MPN (More Provable Number) counts of coliform and fecal coliform bacteria of 105 water samples were made. Of these samples 44 were taken from fountains and 61 from watering troughs. According to the Brazilian government directive, of the Ministry of the Interior, the 44 fountains were shown to be in accordance with the established parameters. As this government directive does not make reference to watering troughs, applying the same values established for fountains, it was observed that of 61 of the samples examined, only 6 (9.8%) proved to be outside the parameters. Of the 105 samples examined, all showed good sanitary conditions, except 6 samples (9.8%) of watering troughs in relation to fecal coliforms. Of these 6 samples, 3 showed bad sanitary conditions too, but only regard to total coliforms.