Volume 6, Issue 1, January – 2021 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology

ISSN No:-2456-2165

Impacts of a Flash Flood on Drinking Water Quality:

Sanitary Analysis of Drinking Water of Kuttanad Area
Affected with Flood
Alina Susan Kurian and Smitha Mathews
a
Department of Zoology, Assumption College, Changanacherry , Kottayam, Kerala, India.
b
Assistant Professor in Microbiology, Department of Zoology, Assumption College, Changanacherry, Kottayam, Kerala, India.

Abstract:- Kuttanad is an area of water logging and lies I. INTRODUCTION

below the sea level. The level of water in this region is
usually above the paddy fields that cover most of the Water is a critical factor upon which life sustains. Earth
region. Most people here are unaware of the health is a water planet but still only 2% is available for drinking
hazardous likely to occur during or after flood. In this purpose. Unclean water ranks at top of the world population
study, we are trying to find out the impact of flood on problem (Goel and Grad, 2008). As per the World Health
sanitary quality of drinking water of Kuttanad area due to Organization (WHO), 2.6 billion people have no provision to
the heavy rainfall during 2018, the worst floods to hit in clean water and moreover 3.4 million deaths are reported due
the last two decades that have shattered the Kuttanad to water borne diseases,mostly in children every year. Human
region. The floodwater has resulted in the submergence of health can be affected by ingestion of contaminated water
the entire region forcing displacement of people. Safe either directly or indirectly and also by the usage of
drinking water and proper sanitation are the two contaminated water for the purpose of personnel hygiene and
inevitable necessities for human health and natives usually recreation. The major drawback of these developing regions is
depend on ground water for drinking purpose. But during the lack of provision for safe drinking water and almost 800
the flood, ground watert able maybe mixed with flood billion individuals are suffering from water borne diseases due
water and become contaminated. Poor sanitation system to the consumption of unsafe drinking water (Ehsan Humayun,
has increased the contamination level and the April 2015). The occurrence of pathogenic microbes in water
contaminated water sources could spread out a number of is unhealthy and threatening. For example, bacteria present in
water borne diseases. Considering the prevalent situation, the intestinal tracts warm blooded animals including humans,
this study was taken to evaluate water for parameters, such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Shigella, and Vibrio, can
namely total coliform groups, faecal coliforms, Vibrio and contaminate the water source with sewage debris. The
Salmonella species by conventional microbiological microbiological quality of surface waters are measured by the
techniques. From the study we could deduce that the water presence of indicator organism; among which faecal coliforms
resources were completely polluted or contaminated. (FC) are the most commonly used as the bacterial indicator of
76.67 % of the analysed sample was found to be faecal pollution. Faecal contamination in the water resources
unsatisfactory for usage. Moreover, 30% of the analysed of coastal areas are gaining much importance (Byamukama et
samples were found to have contaminated with E.coli. al., 2005).Worldwide coliform bacteria are used as indicators
Around 83.34% of samples analysed were detected with of faecal contamination ( Naggar et al., 2003; El-veShenawy
the presence of Vibrio species. Among the samples of and Farag,2005) and hence, the possible presence of disease
positive results, 56.67% of samples were detected with causing organisms (Tyagi et al., 2006; Sabae, 2006; Rosenfeld
Vibrio cholerae and 23.34% of the positive samples were et al., 2006). Bacteria is said to be one of the major
detected with the species of Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Of the contaminants of water(Suthar et al., 2009). The faecal
samples that showed the presence of Vibrio, 23.34% coliform group constitutes organisms, such as Klebsiella spp,
showed the presence of both V.cholerae and Enterobacter spp and Citrobacter spp, which are not
V.parahaemolyticus. 26.67% of the samples were found to exclusively of faecal origin (Standard Methods, 1995). Faecal
have shown positive results for Salmonella Species. Taking coliform bacteria are therefore considered to be the most
to account, the location and sanitation conditions, water important indicator of the presence of faeces (Maier et al.,
sources may be contaminated by flood water. During flood 2000). E.coli is considered as a good indicator of faecal
many waterborne diseases spread out like Cholera, contamination.E.coli is identified as the only species in
Dysentery, Diarrhoea, Typhoid etc. coliform group found exclusively in intestinal tract of human
and other warm blooded animals and excreted in high number
Keywords:- Kuttanad, Drinking Water, Flood, Waterborne approximately 109 per gram of sample (Geldreich, 1983). The
Diseases. pathogenic microbes, their toxic exudates, and other
contaminants together, cause serious conditions such as

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 Volume 6, Issue 1, January – 2021 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
cholera, diarrhoea, typhoid, amoebiasis, hepatitis, Media used: MacConkey broth, Eosine Methylene Blue agar,
gastroenteritis, giardiasis, campylobacteriosis, scabies, and Alkaline Peptone Water, Buffered Peptone Water, Thiosulfate
worm infections etc. Many infectious diseases are associated Citrate Bile Agar (TCBS agar), Rappaport-Vassiliadis Broth
with faecal contamination of water and are a critical reason of (RV broth), Xylose Lysine Deoxycholate Agar (XLD agar).
morbidity and mortality worldwide (Leclerc et al., 2002;
Theron and Cloete, 2002). Analytical methods:

The method of analysing water to estimate the numbers Sanitary analysis of drinking water: This was done by
of bacteria present in it and, if needed, to find out what sort of multiple tube fermentation method or multiple tube method
bacteria they are is called Bacteriological analysis of water. It (MPN).It the most commonly used test for the analysis of
indicates the biological quality of water. It is a microbiological microbiological quality of water samples. The test is primarily
analytical procedure which make use ofwater samplesto used to detect coliforms, which are indicator organisms for
determine the most probable number of microoragnisms in it faecal contamination. They make up 10% of intestinal
and draws inference from the results regarding the potability microflora of most animals. The test has three stages namely
of the water. The procedure is routinely used to confirm the presumptive, confirmed, and complete test. MacConkey broth
safety of water for human use. (which is the media used) tubes are incubated with water
samples and the MPN index of the sample is calculated. The
Kuttanad being below the sea level receive the flood complete test follows by inoculation of EMB agar plate,
waters of the river systems like Periyar, Muvattupuzha, Nutrient agar plate and MacConkey broth and preparation of a
Meenachil, Pampa and Achenkovil, all originating from gram stain slide from nutrient agar (NA) slant, is used to
Western Ghats mountain ranges which receives south west establish that Coliform bacteria are present in the sample. The
and north east monsoonal rains. These rivers along with their complete process including the confirmed and complete test
tributaries traverses Kuttanad wetlands and Vembanad Lake requires at least 3 days for incubation.
before ending in the Arabian Sea. The organic matter
transported and deposited here contributes to the uniqueness Isolation of Vibrio from samples of drinking water: For
of the Kuttanadan ecosystem in addition to its location near Vibrio species isolation, 250mL of water sample were filtered
equator, equitable temperature regime, high rainfall and high through 0.22 μm membranes. Membranes were aseptically
solar radiation throughout the year. Most of the Kuttanad area transferred in 225 mL of alkaline peptone water (APW).
remain waterlogged almost throughout the year and are Incubate the sample mixture at 35°C. After 6-8 hour
subjected to flood during the rainy season. incubation, transfer a loopful from the surface pellicle of APW
culture to the surface of a dried TCBS (Thiosulfate Citrate
The present study is about to find the water quality of Bile Salts Sucrose agar) plate and streak in a manner that will
Kuttanad area after the flood that affected Kerala in 2018. yield isolated colonies. Incubate TCBS plates at 35°C for18-
Mostly the parts of lower Kuttanad was severely affected by 24 hours. Examine the TCBS plates for Vibrio colonies.
the flood. The contamination of the drinking water source Vibrio cholerae colonies appear large, smooth, yellow and
increase which are mainly well water in those areas. slightly flattened with opaque centres and translucent
Microbiological analysis was conducted for the identification periphery and Vibrio parahaemolyticus appears as round,
and enumeration of coliform bacteria. Tests were also opaque, green or bluish colonies 2-3mm in diameter.
conducted for the detection and isolation of Vibrio and
Salmonella species. Isolation of Salmonella from drinking water: For
Salmonella spp. isolation, 250mL water was filtered through
II. METHODOLOGY the 0.22 μm pore-sized membrane until it became occluded.
Membranes were aseptically transferred to homogenized
Sampling area: Kuttanad is a highly complex, dynamic and mixture of 225mL buffered peptone water (BPW). Incubate
unique rice growing agro-climatic tract of Kerala lying 0.5 to the sample mixture at 35°C for 24 hours. Transfer 0.1ml to
2.5 m below Mean Sea Level (MSL). It extends between 10ml of Rappaport-Vassiliadis (RV) medium. Mix well.
North latitudes 9 0 8‟ and 9 0 52‟ and East longitudes 760 19‟ Incubate RV medium at 42°C for 24 hours in a water bath.
and 760 44‟, comprises the area of 54 revenue villages spread Mix and streak a loopful of growth from RV medium on
over Alappuzha, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta districts. The Xylose Lysine Deoxycholate (XLD) agar. Incubate plates at
total geographic area of the region is 1100km. Kuttanad is 35°C for 24 hours. Examine all the plates for presence of
bordered by Kaduthuruthy- Vaikom road in the north, Salmonella colonies - Pink colonies with or without black
Kaduthuruthy - Kottayam -Mavelikkara railway line in the centres.
east, Mavelikkara - Haripad - Thottapally road in the south
and Thottapally -Alappuzha - Thaneermukkom road in the Biochemical tests:The following tests were done for the
west. Thirty samples from different Taluks of Kuttanad were partial characterization of E.coli, Salmonella andVibrio
selected for this study. species isolated from the water samples: Carbohydrate
fermentation tests,Indole test,Methyl Red (MR)-Voges

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 Volume 6, Issue 1, January – 2021 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
Proskauer (VP) test, Citrate test, Catalase test and Oxidase test etc.

III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Table no:1 Summary of analysis of different samples of Kuttanad area

Sl No. Place E.coli Vibrio species Salmonella
1 Champakulam Present V. Cholerae Present
2 Chenamkary Absent V. Cholerae& V. Absent
Parahaemolyticus
3 Edathua Present V. Cholerae& V. Present
Parahaemolyticus
4 Kainady Absent Absent Absent
5 Kannady Present V. Cholerae Present
6 Kavalam Present V. Cholerae Present
7 Kidangara Absent V. Parahaemolyticus Absent
8 Kodupuna Absent V. Cholerae& V. Absent
Parahaemolyticus
9 Koolipara Present V. Cholerae Present
10 Krishnapuram Absent V. Cholerae& V. Absent
Parahaemolyticus
11 Kumaramkary Present V. Cholerae Present
12 Kunnamkary Absent V. Cholerae Present
13 Kurishumoodu Absent V. Cholerae Absent
14 Mampuzhakary Absent V. Cholerae Absent
15 Manalady Absent Absent Absent
16 Mancompu Absent Absent Absent
17 Mithrakary Absent V. Cholerae& V. Absent
Parahaemolyticus
18 Muttar Absent V. Cholerae Absent
19 Narakathara Absent V. Cholerae Absent
20 Nedumudi Absent V. Cholerae Absent
21 Neelamperoor Absent V. Cholerae Absent
22 Pallikuttuma Present V. Cholerae Present
23 Pallathuruthy Absent V. Cholerae& V. Absent
Parahaemolyticus
24 Paral Absent V. Cholerae& V. Absent
Parahaemolyticus
25 Pullangadi Present V. Cholerae Present
26 Ramankary Absent V. Cholerae Absent
27 Thakazhy Absent Absent Absent
28 Valady Present V. Cholerae Absent
29 Veliyanadu Absent Absent Absent
30 Vezhapara Absent V. Cholerae Absent

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 Volume 6, Issue 1, January – 2021 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
Table no 2: Biochemichal characteristics of Isolates
Sl No. Test E.coli V. cholerae V. Parahaemolyticus Salmonella
1 Catalase + + + +
2 Oxidase -ve + + +
3 Motility Motile Motile Motile Motile
4 Indole + + + -ve
5 Methyl red + -ve + +
6 Voges- Proskauer -ve + -ve -ve
7 Citrate utilization -ve + -ve -ve
8 Urease -ve -ve + +
9 Hydrogen sulphide -ve -ve -ve -ve
10 Starch hydrolysis -ve + + -ve
11 Gelatin hydrolysis -ve + + -ve
12 Nitrate utilization + + + -ve
13 Coagulase -ve ND ND -ve
14 Glucose fermentation A+G + + A+G
15 Xylose fermentation A+G -ve -ve A+G
16 Lactose fermentation A+G -ve -ve A+G
17 Sucrose fermentation A+G + -ve A+G
18 Maltose fermentation A+G + + A+G
19 Mannitol fermentation A+G + + A+G
20 Galactose fermentation A+G + + A+G
21 Fructose fermentation A+G ND ND A+G
22 Sorbitol fermentation A+G -ve -ve A+G
23 Arabinose fermentation A+G -ve -ve A+G

Key
+ = Positive -ve = Negative A+G= acid and gas ND = Not determined
production

The 2018 Kerala flood was among the most severely Tubes were looked for acid and gas production. The
affected floods of the state. Almost lasting for about two number of tubes with acid and gas production for each volume
weeks, the flood affected the economic and ecological strata. of water added were noted and the most probable number of
Wide range of destruction was followed by the flood. The total coliforms were calculated according to the standardized
flood water contained organic and inorganic waste products in probability table for all samples of water and the results
large quantities. The flood water all along with the waste was obtained were compared to the interpretation table. Of the 30
deposited in the low-lying areas of the state. Kuttanad around water samples obtained from the different Taluks of Kuttanad;
4-10ft below sea level was among the major places that were samples from five places had shown MPN index ≥1100 for
affected. Being thickly populated and a major contributor to total coliforms per 100mL which make up 16.67% of the total
the state’s food crop production Kuttanad faced immense samples analysed. Among these five places, water from
stress all throughout. All the topographical factors contributed Champakulam had shown the highest MPN index ie., 1.1x105
to the increase of contamination of water resources of the per 100 ml of sample. Followed by water samples from places
Kuttanad area. such as Kannady, Kavalam, Pullangady, and Narakathara. All
the above places except Narakathara showed the presence of
Sanitary analysis of drinking water of different Taluks in E.coli. Among the samples analysed 30% of the samples
the Kuttanad area where flood was severely affected was showed MPN index from 460-150.
carried out by multiple tube fermentation method (MPN). 30
samples were collected from different Taluks of Kuttanad and E.coli was detected in 9 samples viz.smaples from
was transported to the laboratory and processed within 24 Champakulam, Kannady, Kavalam, Pullangady, Kulipura,
hours of collection. Further samples were analysed for the Pallikuttumma, Edathua, Valady, and Kumaramkary, which
detection and isolation of Vibrio and Salmonella species. constitute 30% of the whole samples. These samples on
Water borne diseases such as cholera, salmonellosis etc. were culturing on the differential media; EMB (Eosin Methylene
expected in post flood period. Blue) agar showed colonies with green metallic sheen and
other characters of E.coli. (fig 1)

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 Volume 6, Issue 1, January – 2021 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
Fig :1

Out of the 30 sample analysed for Salmonella species, 8

The 2011 WHO guidelines for drinking water give a samples (26.67%) were found to have shown positive results
tolerance range for E.coli in drinking water. Although it is (fig 3)
preferable that drinking water contains no E.coli; samples
containing less than 10 E.coli colonies per 100ml are Fig: 3
considered of low risk. Chin Yik Lin (2010), conducted a
bacteriological analysis and results showed that the quality of
water was poor with faecal coliform count exceeding the
WHO permissible limits for drinking water. Coliforms in
water might be the indication of improper sanitation facilities
located too close to the wells. The samples that are of high risk
are hence deduced to have faecal contamination. Out of all the
analysed samples, 23.34% of samples were interpreted as
suspicious and 76.67% samples were unsatisfactory for use.
This shows the vulnerable hygienic conditions of the areas
under investigation. samples were subjected to tests for the
detection and isolation of Vibrio and Salmonella spp and the
results were noted. From the results we can conclude that
around 83.34% of samples analysed were detected with the
presence of Vibrio species. Among the samples of positive
results, 56.67% of samples were detected with Vibrio cholerae Of the 30 samples analysed, 26.67% of samples showed
species on the differential medium of TCBS agar and 23.34% the presence E.coli,Salmonella and Vibrio sps.. These places
of the positive samples were detected with the species of are Champakulam, Edathua, Kannady, Kavalam, Koolipara,
Vibrio parahaemolyticus.(fig 2). Of the samples that showed Kumaramkary, Pallikuttumma and Pullangadi. The samples
the presence of Vibrio, 23.34% showed the presence of both from Valady shows the presence of E.coli but showed
Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio parahaemolyticus on TCBS agar. negative results for Salmonella test. Partial characterization of
isolates of E.coli, V.cholerae, V.parahaemolyticus and
Fig: 2 Salmonella were done with biochemical tests.

The reason behind the high amount of bacterial

contamination might be the inadequate maintenance of water
resources and the discharge of untreated sewage into riverine
bodies. During the period of flood different water resources
overflowed resulting in the mixing of water from different
sources. Also added to this, Kuttanad being a low lying area
act as basin were water from other places as well flow into it
finally to drain into the Arabian Sea.

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 Volume 6, Issue 1, January – 2021 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
IV. CONCLUSION [8]. Singh P, Tyagi S, Dobhal R, Singh R, Seth R, Mohan
M (2012) Evaluation of water quantity and quality
The present study indicates the polluted conditions of status of drinking water sector of Uttarakhand India.
water resources of Kuttanad area which will have serious Anal Chem Lett 2(3):198–205 Sylvain, B.M., Cindy, F.,
effects on the health conditions of the inhabitants. From the Virginie, P., Sylvie, I-J., Régis, O., Laure, D., Patrick, G.
study we could deduce that the water resources were 2009. Virulent Clones of Klebsiella pneumoniae:
completely polluted or contaminated. 76.67 % of the analysed Identification and Evolutionary Scenario Based on
sample was found to be unsatisfactory for usage. By practicing Genomic and Phenotypic Characterization
proper waste disposal, creating storm water drains, controlling [9]. WHO, 1976. Surveillance of Drinking Water Quality.
sewage spills and avoiding open defecation the contamination World Health Organization, Geneva, (WHO monograph
can be reduced to a large extend and thereby increase the well Sr.no.63).
water quality. Ensure time to time monitoring of the [10]. World Health Organization, “Guidelines for Drinking
microbiological quality of drinking water to prevent outbreak Water Quality: Health Criteria and Other Support
of enteric diseases. Information,” 1996, pp. 18-97.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The authors are very thankful to KSCSTE,

Thiruvanathapuram for giving financial assistance to carry out
this project under SPYTis Scheme.

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