Assessment of quality of water wells in the district of Kruja through physico-chemical and microbial analyses

• Pages: 100-106

100

Vol. 8 No.2

September, 2022

Balkan Journal of Interdisciplinary Research

IIPCCL Publishing, Graz-Austria

ISSN 2410-759X

Acces online at www.iipccl.org

Assessment of quality of water wells in the district of Kruja through physico-

chemical and microbial analyses

Hajrije Dibra

Water Research Center for Shkodra Region, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of

Shkodra “Luigj Gurakuqi”, Albania

Abstract

Albania, the second country in Europe for water reserves, however, it does not manage to

fulll drinking water needs in many of its regions. In order to fulll the needs for drinking

water, the residents also use the water extracted from their wells. The purpose of this study

is to evaluate the quality of well water in the district of Kruja through physic-chemical and

microbial analyses. The waters of 20 wells and drilling waters were analyzed for physic-

chemical and microbial parameters for the period 2021-March 2022 in the district of Kruja and

Fushë-Kruja. The total number of samples taken for microbial parameters was 80 samples.

For the physic-chemical parameters such as: temperature, pH, conductivity, TDS, their

measurement was carried out directly at the place of water intake for analysis by means of a

multiparameter. Although physical and chemical parameters of the water were suitable for

drinking. The analysis of microbiological parameters such as: E.coli and S.faecalis was carried

out in the laboratory. The samples were transported to the laboratory within the same day.

Based on the analyzes carried out for the microbial parameters regarding the presence of

E.coli and S.faecalis in the wells, it results that in wells in the city of Kruja we have the presence

of E.coli and S.faecalis its presence in the water of these wells makes these wells unsuitable

to drink. Microbial contamination of this water was related to the well depth, and was more

common in dug wells, making this water unt for human consumption. We suggest residents

treat the water before using. From the conversation with the residents, they use the well water

only for washing. Regarding the Halil and Fushe-Kruja areas (Çele hill), a slight increase in the

values of E.coli and S.faecalis is observed in the autumn season is observed, but according to

the WHO the waters of many wells are diseased with 0 Cfu/ 100 ml throughout the monitoring

period.

Keywords: drinking water, wells, microbial parameters, E.coli, S.faecalis.

Introduction

Water is essential for life. Drinking water is considered water that is suitable for

drinking and does not have problems of color, smell, taste and does not have harmful

eects on the human body. About (80%) of drinking water in Albania is obtained

from underground sources and only 20% from surface water (Floqi, 2007; Nezaj,

2014). Groundwater can come from natural sources of dierent geological formations

(eg limestone), from hydrogeological wells, or individual or collective wells (Nezaj,

2014). According to the WHO, non-pipe borne water supplies, including water from

wells or springs, may often be contaminated with pathogens. Water from such sources

often requires treatment and protected storage in order to be safe for consumption

(WHO, 1996). The concentration of physic-chemical and microbiological indicators