Estimation of validity Tigris River Water for Swimming in Baghdad City

Abstract

This study was conducted during 2012 utilizing selected four swim areas on the Tigris river in Baghdad city. Twenty water samples from four swim areas during swim season were collected for quality analyses using chemical, physical and bacterial parameters. The result revealed that  the temperature, pH and means dissolved solid in the Tigris river water in all swim areas were within limit recommended by environmental protection Agency standards. While mean of the total dissolved solid, turbidity, chlorophyll and blue green algae were ranged from 0.69-0.89 g/l, 10.15-1248 NTU, 1.85-222.82 µg/l and 338-7999 cells/ml respectively. The total viable counts (TVCs) of bacteria were ranged from 128 to 10000 cells/ml. The total Coliforms (TCs) and fecal Coliforms (FCs) were ranged  from 300-1600ml and126-1600 /100ml respectively. During the study 77 isolates of enteric bacteria were isolated and identified. Escherichia coli isolated from all water samples (20 isolates) which it represents 100%, Enterobacter  spp. were 70%, Klebsiella spp. were 60%, Protus mirabilis were 65%, Protus vulgaris were 15%, Vibrio spp. were 30%, Morganella morgani were 10%, Pseudomonas aeruginosa was 5%, Salmonella Sp. was 5% and Staphylococcus spp. were 25%.

Key word: Tigris river, swimming, bacteria