Microbiological quality of drinking water from dispensers in Italy.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Water coolers are popular in office buildings and commercial stores and the quality of this source of drinking water has the potential to cause waterborne outbreaks, especially in sensitive and immunocompromised subjects. The aim of this study was to determine the quality of water plumbed in coolers from commercial stores in comparison with tap water in Italy.

Methods

For each sample, microbial parameters and chemical indicators of contamination were evaluated and information about the date of installation, time since last ordinary and extraordinary maintenance of water coolers was collected.

Results

In all samples the chemical parameters (nitrite, ammonium, free active chlorine residual) did not exceed the reference values of the drinking water regulation;

SUBMITTER: Liguori G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2824693 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature