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BACTERIAL ANALYSIS OF SERVICE WATER FROM SELECTED EATERIES IN

ZAMBOANGA CITY
Jorell C. Lapating1 & Mark Rhyian E. Hural2
Graduate School Students, College of Science and Mathematics
Western Mindanao State University, Zamboanga City
[email protected]/ [email protected]

Abstract – The study determined the p

Abstract — This study determined the presence of coliform bacteria in three (3) selected eateries in
Zamboanga City.

Keywords: Eateries, Service Water, Microbial Analysis

INTRODUCTION

Eatery, also known as “Carinderia”, is a small-scale local food stall/establishment common


in all parts of the country, particularly in Zamboanga City. It is characterized by having a small
setting, typically situated in market place or at a roadside of a busy area surrounded by
establishments, and is operated most often by household members for most of the labor in the
production of affordable meals for people with tight budgets i.e., students, employees, and workers
(Sergaki and Michailidis, 2020).

Spending for an affordable yet delicious variety of dishes has become a daily necessity for
ordinary Filipinos. Hence, it has become an integral part of our lifestyle. A lot of Carinderia owners
established their businesses along Don Navarro Street, Barangay Cawa-cawa, Zamboanga City
considering the area is composed of diverse types of costumers i.e., students who are from the
neighboring provinces who opt to study in the nearby schools and universities, and employees and
workers of both private and government-owned establishments/offices. Consequently, they stay in
boarding houses, dormitories and apartments far from their respective families. Hence, due to
limited financial constraints and limited time to prepare meals, most of them prefer to eat in
cariderias to cope with their respectively busy and fast-paced environments.

Service water or “free water” is a basic provision usually served before a costumer makes an
order or even after serving meals. Drinking water used in eateries are either procured from water
refilling stations i.e., distilled water, purified water, and such; or sourced from community water
providers – which water undergo sequence of treatments to ensure water potability. For an ordinary
worker/student, service water provided in eateries can already practical solution when one is saving
to meet daily meal necessities.
Despite how economical service water is to budget-tight individuals, it may also present
health challenges. In fact, the Department of Health in 2017 have reported various cases of water-
related diseases with common symptoms of abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. From
January 1 to December 2, 2017, a total of 17,768 suffered from acute bloody diarrhea; a total of
3,653 from cholera; a total of 422 from hepatitis; a total of 3,512 from rotavirus; and a total of
21,653 from typhoid cases were reported nationwide. Further, the Regional Epidemiology and
Surveillance Unit of the Department of Health in Zamboanga Peninsula (2016), as cited by Rebato
et al. (2019), reported an increase in acute gastroenteritis cases in Zamboanga City with 48% of the
total population then (861,799 people) rely on the water production from the city’s Water District,
and with most of the population relying on purified drinking water sold by water refilling stations.
The City Health Office also confirmed that the rotavirus outbreak in 2010 in the city was due to
water contamination, affecting around 500 individuals.

Hence, it is only vital to conduct assessment on bacterial risks of service water from eateries
to estimate the number of bacteria present and evaluate risks from potential pathogens related to
“free” drinking water. The study aimed to assess bacterial risks of service water from selected
eateries along Don Navarro Street, Barangay Cawa-cawa, Zamboanga City. Specifically, the study
seeks to: (1) determine the presence of Coliform bacteria in service water from selected eateries in
Zamboanga City, and (2) evaluate the bacterial risks of service water based on the total coliform
count.

LITERATURE REVIEW

Water quality and potability in the Philippines is regulated by the Department of


Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) under the pursuant of section 19 of Republic act (RA)
9275, otherwise known as the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 thru DAO No. 2016 – 08 which
was recently updated last June 30, 2021 thru DAO No. 2021 – 19, concerning guidelines on water
quality and general effluent standards. Water potability under this regulation refers to suitable water
for both health and acceptability considerations set for drinking and cooking purposes. This is
classified as Class AA water or the Public Water Supply Class I involving water resources that meet
the latest National standards for Drinking Water (NSDW) of the Philippines. Acceptable fecal
coliform is at <1.1 MPN/100 mL. Hence, the Philippine drinking-water standards require all water
sources to adhere to standard parameters and values for drinking-water quality, which involves the
absence of Escherichia coli; coliform or other bacteria present in every 100 ml water sample and/or
should not exceed the permissible level of biological organisms, and other organic/inorganic
constituents.

However, despite the existing regulations and guidelines on securing and maintaining
quality and safety of drinking water in the Philippines, bacterial contamination remains an
inevitable health issue and public awareness in the country. The spread of diseases associated to
drinking water, regardless of the source, can be contaminated and become a risk factor to
consumers’ health. In the cases of pipeline water e.g., water from the city’s Water District, Shaibur
et al. (2021) cited that the quality of the drinking water is affected by various factors; i. physical,
chemical and biological transformations during distribution system from the treatment plants, ii.
deterioration of water treatment facilities, and iii. Leaky joints in cross-connected pipelines between
municipal water supply and sewers. Also, improper handling and serving of drinking in food stalls
and food establishments increase chances of microbial contamination of service water provided to
consumers. Consequently, these leads to occurrence of water-borne diseases such as dysentery,
diarrhea, and gastrointestinal diseases (Shaibur et al. 2021).

Excessive presence of bacteria like Escherichia coli, coliform, and other bacteria make the
water non-potable and unsafe to drink especially to students. Nagba et al. in 2016 revealed presence
of Klebsiella pneumonia, Enterobacter aerogenes, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella oxytoca, Salmonella
sp. and Shigella sp. in drinking water collected from Iligan City Central School and Iligan City
North 1 Central School. Atienza et al. in 2016 conducted microbial profiling in bottled and tap
drinking water in Barangay San Miguel, Iligan city and found out that about 77.78% of tap water
and 88.89% of bottled water had non-fecal coliform counts, 55.56% and 44.44% of tap and bottled
water samples exceeded the criteria of zero fecal E. coli coliform per 100 ml of drinking water, and
55.56% of tap water and 22.22% of bottled water has total heterotrophic bacterial load beyond
tolerable limit making them unsafe for human consumption based on the World Health
Organization standards. Corpuz et al. in (2016) have reported high total coliform and fecal coliform
content (>8 MPN/100mL) in 11 water sample (out of 20 samples) collected from water dispensers
and faucet water sources for drinking water in selected public schools in Tarlac City. Five (5) of the
collected samples were found positive with E. coli; and another 5 water samples were found with
very high heterotrophic plate count (>4000 CFU/mL). Moreover, Degayo et al. in (2018) assessed
microbial presence in drinking water fountains and hand wash faucets at a school canteen in Davao
City and revealed presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus
(CoNS) which causes pneumonia, urinary tract infections, bacteremia, and Coagulase Negative
Staphylococcus which can cause endocarditis and urinary tract infections respectively. Hence, this
stresses out the importance of critical assessment of drinking water.
The presence of both fecal and non-fecal bacteria in both tap drinking water and bottled
drinking water is considered serious threat to public health. Hence, Shaibur et al. (2021) cited that
existence of fecal coliform on drinking water is associated to the environmental condition involving
unhygienic behaviors of individuals involved, water distribution system, the use of dirty container,
unsanitary practice or reusing old and dirty plastic containers.

Diseases associated to drinking water remains a global burden. In fact, a lot of studies have
been made and are repeatedly reveling fecal contamination to be closely associated to water-borne
diseases such as Diarrhea. According to Luby et al. (2015), high contamination of E. coli in
drinking water using a multivariable general linear model, the E. coli contamination of the drinking
water samples is associated with an increased prevalence of diarrhea (prevalence ratio = 1.14, 95%
CI = 1.05, 1.23). In connection to Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit of the Department
of Health in Zamboanga Peninsula report on the 2016 drinking-water related cases, an
epidemiologic investigation conducted by Rebato et al. in 2019 verified the existence of an
outbreak through a case-series study of respondent with three or more episodes of acute diarrhea
involving 11 hospitals within Zamboanga City and have revealed 60% of the cases were positive
for rotavirus, with 0.75% case fatality rate affecting mostly children ageing <5 years old (65%) who
are mostly males (53%). Common cause was positively associated to drinking water
procured/sourced from water refilling stations (64%) where rotavirus was found present in the
samples.

Generally, it is considered a must to conduct water inspection and rigorous quality control
of drinking water to evaluate, monitor, and prevent possible outbreak of water-borne diseases.

METHODS

Sampling Area

The study was conducted on June 4 – 8, 2022 covering three (3) randomly selected eateries
in Zamboanga City; along i. Don Navarro Street, Barangay Cawa-cawa, ii. Sevilla Street, Barangay
Zone IV, and iii. Zamboanga West Coastal Road.
Eatery 1, is located in a crowded space along with other stores. The inside of the Carinderia
was clean but the old vibe was very evident. Its water container as well as the utensils (which the
first water sample is obtained) were obviously used for a long time. Stains from the outside of the
jug and its opening was observed.
Eatery 2 is established along Don Navarro Street, Barangay Cawa-cawa, Zamboanga City,
the stall is open for dusts and dirt since it is close to the road providing entrance and exit access to
both San Jose Road and Cawa-cawa boulevard. The surrounding was cleaner but not spacious. The
store was not seemed to be old-opened, the utensils were old and new. Stains on the water jug was
evident.

Eatery 3 is an old establishment. The was not spacious and was not very clean. Most utensils
were noticeably old as well as their water container.

Collection of Samples

A total of 15 service water samples of at least 375 mL each sample will be collected using
recycled transparent glass bottles from five (5) selected eateries. The samples will be placed in a
portable ice chest to maintain low temperature before transported. The samples will be refrigerated
for about an hour upon arriving before analysis to prevent microbial growth.

Microbiological Assessment

Bacterial analysis will be performed at the Department of Agriculture, Regional Animal


Diagnostic Laboratory, Bacteriological Laboratory at Barangay Tumaga, Zamboanga City where
service water samples are to be tested for the presence of Coliform bacteria, Escherichia coli and
Salmonella. The surface colony count technique (cfu/g)/(cfu/mL) will be used to estimate the
microbial count.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Table 1 shows accumulated coliform bacteria (cfu/100ml) in water samples from selected
eateries in Zamboanga city.

Table 1: Shows the number of positive tubes in Coliform count.


Parameters No. of Positive Tubes Most Probable Number (MPN) per 100 ml
(out of 9 tubes)
Sample MPN PNSDW* standard

Eatery #1
Coliform count 0 0 Less than 1.1

Eatery #2
Coliform count 0 0 Less than 1.1
Eatery #3
Coliform count 3 2400/ 240/ 53 Less than 1.1

* Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water (PNSDW) 2017

Table 1 reflects the occurrence of high bacterial loads in drinking water samples form site 3
at 53 – 2400 cfu/ml for total coliform count. Coliforms are groups of microorganisms that can be
found in soil, water, as well as gut of animals. The presence of these bacteria in drinking water can
be linked to a number of factors such as improper handling and processing of water containers and
the use of contaminated water during washing. These may also pertain to the contamination of
water supply such as contamination of the water source from sewage (waste material, such as
human urine and feces that is carried away from homes and other buildings in a system of pipes).
Moreover, according to Centre for Food Safety (2017), as cited by Jambre and Lagorra (2021),
coliform count is a hygienic indicator and high level of coliform counts generally indicates
unsanitary condition of poor hygiene practices during or after food production. Dirty water may
contain coliform bacteria that may indicate fecal contamination. This can be due to usage of dirty
water as raw ingredient or the ice used.

PNSDW Standards shows that sample should not exceed the value of less than 1.1 MPN to
be considered as safe for drinking MPN values that are NEGATIVE for coliform and fecal coliform
organisms

CONCLUSION

Based on the results of the microbial analysis, site 3 possess drinking water that have a total
coliform unit that are not within the PNSDW Standards. Visible clean area, drinking utensils, and
jug do not mean good microbiological drinking water quality. Constant monitoring and evaluation
need to be performed to ensure full compliance to these existing laws.

RECOMMENDATIONS

As a result of the findings and conclusions of this study, the following are hereby
recommended:

1. Microbial assessment for other common bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella, and such
should also be considered.
2. A replication of this study may be conducted and researchers could consider correlating
bacterial prevalence and degree of health risks. A greater scope of microbial assessment and
greater area coverage may also be considered to obtain a more extensive finding.

REFERENCES

Atienza, B.A., Jalover, A., Sepe, E. M., and Tabanag, K. (2016). Microbiological Profile of Bottled
and Tap Drinking Water in Brgy. San Miguel, Iligan City. Retrieved from:
http://dl6.globalstf.org/index.php/jnhc/article/download/1588/2623

Degayo, R., Tampos, G., Bano, A., Corpuz, E. F., Francisco, N., Montecillo, M. C., Gabato, A., and
Calica, P. (2018). Isolation and Characterization of Bacteria from Drinking Water
Fountains at a School Canteen in Davao City. Retrieved from:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/328304998_Isolation_and_Characterization_of_B
acteria_from_Drinking_Water_Fountains_at_a_School_Canteen_in_Davao_City

Department of Health, Food and Water Borne Diseases Morbidity Week 1-48 (2017) Retrieved
from: https://doh.gov.ph/sites/default/files/statistics/WDSR_MW1-MW48_2017.pdf

Jambre, K. G., and Lagorra, M. J. (2021). Bacteriological Analysis of Street Foods in Dipolog City.
Retrieved from:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/360810623_Bacteriological_Analysis_of_Street_F
oods_in_Dipolog_City

Luby, S., Halder, A., Huda, T., Unicomb, L., Sirajul Islam, M., Arnold, B., and Johnston, R. (2015).
Microbiological Contamination of Drinking Water Associated with Subsequent Child
Diarrhea. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4703288/

Nagba, M. A. R., Palangan, N. K. M., Yu, I., Opena, E. L., and Baguio, M. (2016). Presence of Pathogenic
Bacteria in Drinking Waters of Selected Public Elementary Schools of Iligan City, Philippines .
Retrieved from: https://mjst.ustp.edu.ph/index.php/mjst/article/view/30/46

Rebato, N., Delos Reyes, V. C., Sucalditoa, M. N., and Marina, G. (2019). Is your drinking water
safe? A rotavirus outbreak linked to water refilling stations in the Philippines, 2016.
Retrieved from:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6507125/pdf/wpsar.2019.10.1-001.pdf

Sergaki, P., and Michailidis, A. (2020). Small-Scale Food Producers: Challenges and Implications
for SDG2. Retrieved from: https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-3-
319-95675-6_48

Shaibur, M. R., Hossain, M. S., Khatun, S., and Sayema Tanzia, F. K. (2021). Assessment
of drinking water contamination in food stalls of Jashore Municipality, Bangladesh.
Retrieved from: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13201-021-01470-w

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