Microbiological characteristics of the water and surfaces of drinking fountains of the Federal University of Paraná – Palotina sector

Abstract

Water can serve as a vehicle for several pathogens to humans and the contamination of poorly sanitized equipment surfaces can contribute to poor microbiological quality of water. The aim of this research was to assess the hygienic-sanitary quality of drinking water and drinking fountain surfaces of the Federal University of Paraná - Sector Palotina. A Standard Operating Hygiene Procedure (PPHO) was established for the hygiene of drinking fountains and training was applied to the sector responsible for the hygienization standardization. There were 392 evaluations of 24 drinkers distributed throughout the Sector, totaling 784 microbiological analyzes of surfaces and 37 of water. The evaluated parameters were: count of aerobic mesophilic microorganisms and total coliform, thermotolerant and Escherichia coli. All drinkers (100%) had mesophilic aerobic microorganisms counts above 30 CFU/cm2 in at least one of the evaluations performed. Of the 24 drinkers, 17 (70.8%) had total coliforms, seven (33.3%) had thermotolerant coliforms and in six (25%) the presence of Escherichia coli was verified. Of the water samples, 31 (83.8%) were adequate for consumption. All drinking fountains were unsuitable for use; however the microbiological quality of the water did not appear to have been affected. The results can be a reflection of the great flow of use of the equipment, as well as the proximity to sanitary facilities. Therefore hygiene-sanitary monitoring activities of water and drinking fountains and continuous training and verification work are important.