Turk Hijyen ve Deneysel Biyoloji Dergisi, vol.74, pp.21-28, 2017 (Scopus)
Objective: The objective of the study is to make a physical, chemical and microbiological analysis of water samples collected from public fountains in Trabzon city. Methods: The scope of this definitive study covers all the public fountains used by community in all the counties and the county towns in Trabzon city. Water samples were collected from 18 public fountains, being 1 fountain from each county. Water samples were collected in accordance with the sample collection procedures from each public fountain once a month, in the months of August and September in 2016. Samples were taken in cold chain for 500 ml microbiological, 1000 ml physical and chemical analyses and brought to Trabzon Public Health Laboratory to be analyzed. Samples were analyzed in terms of the physical parameters of colour, smell, turbidity, electrical conductivity, pH; chemical parameters of ammonium, aluminum, iron and nitrite; and microbiological parameters of Escherichia coli, coliform group bacteria, and Clostridium perfringens. Results: In all the public fountains analyzed, the parameters of colour, smell, turbidity, electrical conductivity were found compatible with the values of "Regulation Concerning Water Intended for Human Consumption". 11% of public fountains were found to be acidic in terms of pH in one of two measurements. In all the public fountains analyzed, the measurements of ammonium, aluminum, iron and nitrite were found compatible with the regulation. Microbiologically, 17% of public fountains were found compatible with the values of the regulation according to the measurements in both months. However, while 22% of public fountains were found compatible with the regulation in one of two measurements in both months, 61% of public fountains were found not to be compatible with the values of the regulation in the measurements in both months. Conclusion: In all the public fountains analyzed, the parameters of colour, smell, turbidity, electrical conductivity were found compatible with the regulation. 11% of public fountains were found not to be compatible with the values of the regulation in terms of pH values. In all the public fountains analyzed, the chemical parameters were found compatible with the regulation. In all the public fountains analyzed, microbiologically 83% of public fountains in at least one measurement were found not to be compatible with the regulation.