Isolation of microorganisms from the tap water in Sarajevo

BSc student: Merjema Ikanovic

Mentor: Assist. Prof. Dr. Altijana Hromic-Jahjefendic

Year: 2019

Considering the fact that our bodies are more than 50% consisted of water and that we need water for maintaining homeostasis and normal functioning, the quality of water we drink is of high importance. There is no doubt that microorganisms are present in tap water but many of them are not harmful to us and may even benefit to our health. This beneficence lays in maintaining balance of gut microbiota. Water is usually contaminated through septic systems, farm animal wastes, or other sources of contamination but chlorine is added in order to kill germs and prevent harmful effects. The main goal of this study was to investigate the amount of pathogens in tap water with focusing on E. coli, compare the results with health standards and possibly warn public if results presented risk to health. According to established protocols, bacteria was grown in LB medium and incubated for 24 hours and 37 °C. The following steps of anlysis included bacteria enumeration and Gram-staining which revealed that bacteria present were mainly Gram-negative. Three analysis were carried out showing results that deviate from standardized values defined by law in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Further experiments and controls need to be done in order to prove and confirm results  of this study since repair of water supply and tubings was done in the time when these analysis were performed.