Bacteriological and physico-chemical assessment of wastewater in different region of Tunisia: impact on human health
2011

Assessment of Wastewater Quality in Tunisia and Its Impact on Health

Sample size: 60 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Salem Imen Ben, Ouardani Imen, Hassine Mouna, Aouni Mahjoub

Primary Institution: Laboratoire des Maladies Transmissibles et Substances Biologiquement Actives - Université de Monastir, Tunisia

Hypothesis

The study aims to control physico-chemical parameters in wastewater samples and identify pathogenic bacteria.

Conclusion

Wastewaters contain a large amount of pathogenic bacteria that present a real impact on human health.

Supporting Evidence

  • 76.6% of wastewater samples contained pathogenic E. coli.
  • 66.6% of samples showed the presence of Salmonella in entrance points.
  • Physico-chemical parameters indicated that wastewater treatment was not fully effective.

Takeaway

The study found that wastewater in Tunisia has harmful bacteria that can make people sick, even after treatment.

Methodology

Sixty wastewater samples were collected from fifteen different regions in Tunisia, and both physico-chemical and microbiological analyses were performed.

Limitations

The study did not guarantee the complete elimination of pathogens after wastewater treatment.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1756-0500-4-144

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