Evaluation of Chemical and Microbiological Contamination Levels in Drinking Water Samples Collected from Towns in Tunceli, Turkey

This study explored the chemical and microbiological contamination of drinking water from eight towns in Tunceli, Turkey. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and epichloridine were extracted by liquid solid extraction and analyzed by using HPLC, volatile organics were analyzed by GC-MS and acrylamide was analyzed by GC. Escherichia coli and total coliform detection followed a membrane filtration method. Enterococci were detected and numerated by membrane filtration method. Most commonly found chemical pollutants were benzene, benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), 1-2 dichloroethane, epichloridine, tetrachloroethane, trihalomethane and acrylamide. E. coli, total coliform and enterococci were also found in the drinking water. our results indicate that generally chemical and microbiological contaminations were found below the guidelines for drinking waters given by the World Health Organization, because of the fact that in the sampling area there is not any contaminating source. So, according to results these water samples are fit for drinking. © 2010 Friends Science Publishers