Objectives: The authors considered the community-based on-site water sampling-surveys case-study in Angono, Rizal, in the Republic of the Philippines. The study was designed to determine whether individual citizens within the community could successfully collaborate in order to develop a method for quantification of E. coli levels in water (especially underground water) for domestic use.

Methods: We used techniques that had been validated in Japan for on-site evaluation of E. coli. These simple techniques enabled the on-site quantification of E. coli levels in multiple water sources, including underground water.

Results: The techniques used in Japan were successfully adopted in the Philippines, and we cooperated with regional medical technicians, scientists, and citizens, in order to develop a system where ultimately, the people in Angono can perform all the tasks related to on-site water quality evaluation. From societal and economic perspectives, we were able to reduce the traditionally high laboratory cost (including testing cost and samples transit cost) of coliform bacteria and E. coli evaluation to a lower, fixed cost level that is affordable for regional health centers and other sites.

Conclusion: The transfer of a simple inspection method technology, under the supervision of an experienced Japanese research team, allowed us to validate the E. coli on-site quantification strategy at a regional level as "co-creation of science and society". In addition, beyond technology transfer, our collaborative efforts with scientists, regional medical engineers, and citizens, led to the creation of an NGO (non-governmental organization) that serves citizens in the town of Angono with regard to water quality assessment and certification activities.

Key Words: water quality, water management, community, local people, participatory approach, underground water, Escherichia coli, coliform bacteria, Philippines

The purpose of this study was to determine aluminium (Al) concentrations in groundwater used for drinking and cooking and its related health risk among population of 28th Mile Orang Asli village in Jenderam Hilir, Selangor, Malaysia. A total of 100 respondents were recruited, comprising 51 (51.0 %) male and 49 (49.0 %) female residents. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to determine Al concentration, while the LAMOTTE TRACER ORP PockeTester was used to measure pH levels. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) was used to analyze the data. Results showed that Al concentration ranged from 0.041 - 0.136 mg/L with a mean of 0.136 + SD 0.041 mg/L, hence the values obtained were below the standard value (0.2 mg/L). pH levels ranged from 3.82 to 5.84, with a mean of 4.163 + SD 0.411, which is acidic and below the range permitted by the health authorities. The acidic nature may have an impact on the Al concentration in the water. The Hazard Index (HI) was found to be less than 1, thus there was no health risk of Al exposure in drinking water for the respondents involved. The study area was considered safe from having health risk associated with Al exposure.
Aluminium ; Ph ; drinking water ; groundwater ; Hazard Index

Bioremediation is regarded as one of the most promising methods for the remediation of the soil and groundwater contaminated with organic compounds, mainly due to its cost-effectiveness and environmental friendliness. Using VOSviewer and CiteSpace, we analyzed all publications in this area in core database of Web of Science from 1990 to 2020. The number of publications in this area showed an increasing trend worldwide. The country with the largest total number of publications was USA, followed by China and India. Since 2012, the number of annual publications of China exceeded USA and ranked the first. The top three journals which published papers in this area were Chemosphere, Environmental Science & Technology, and Science of the Total Environment. The Chinese Academy of Sciences published the largest number of papers among the research institutions globally, but the University of California in USA had the highest total citations and h-index. Bibliometric analysis indicated that it is important to develop biotechnologies of bioremediation coupled with chemical/physical remediation to overcome the challenge of low efficiency and long remediation duration associated with bioremediation. In addition, the bioremediation on the mixed contaminants, such as organic contaminants and heavy metals, or mixtures of different organic contaminants, is an important direction. Finally, the rapid development of microbiome technologies will further promote the exploration of mechanisms involved in bioremediation on the genetic and molecular level.
Bibliometrics ; Biodegradation, Environmental ; Groundwater ; Publications ; Soil

We reviewed the chemical/physical properties, toxicity, environmental fate, and ecotoxicity of strong acids in soil and groundwater environments. We recommend that sulfuric acid and hydrofluoric acid be classified as chemicals of priority control based on volumes used, toxicity, carcinogenicity, and past significant spill events. Understanding the behavior and transport of spilled strong acids in soil and groundwater environments requires a multi-disciplinary approach, as they can undergo a variety of geochemical and biochemical reactions with complex geomedia. The toxicity of spilled acid is dependent on the characteristics of the geomedia exposed to the acid and the amount of residual protons following acid–substrate interaction. Soil texture, cation exchange capacity, mineral composition, bedrock type, and aluminum content may be important factors affecting the toxicity of spilled acid in soil-groundwater environments. We expect that the results of this study will contribute preliminary data for future research on chemical spills.
Aluminum ; Groundwater* ; Hydrofluoric Acid ; Miners ; Protons ; Soil* ; Sulfur

We reviewed the chemical/physical properties, toxicity, environmental fate, and ecotoxicity of strong acids in soil and groundwater environments. We recommend that sulfuric acid and hydrofluoric acid be classified as chemicals of priority control based on volumes used, toxicity, carcinogenicity, and past significant spill events. Understanding the behavior and transport of spilled strong acids in soil and groundwater environments requires a multi-disciplinary approach, as they can undergo a variety of geochemical and biochemical reactions with complex geomedia. The toxicity of spilled acid is dependent on the characteristics of the geomedia exposed to the acid and the amount of residual protons following acid–substrate interaction. Soil texture, cation exchange capacity, mineral composition, bedrock type, and aluminum content may be important factors affecting the toxicity of spilled acid in soil-groundwater environments. We expect that the results of this study will contribute preliminary data for future research on chemical spills.
Aluminum ; Groundwater ; Hydrofluoric Acid ; Miners ; Protons ; Soil ; Sulfur

We analyzed the occurrence of enteric viruses and bacteria at 22 places of drinkable groundwater (civil defense emergency water-supply facility), 8 places of the groundwater used for drinking water in group food services, and 10 places of spring-water. When the 40 concentrated samples were analyzed using nested RT-PCR and real-time RT PCR methods, norovirus and other enteric viruses were not detected in all samples tested. The detection percentages for total coliforms, Escherichia coli, Yersinia enterocolitica of fecal indicator were 57.5%, 22.5% and 7.5%, respectively. Colipages were not detected. These results suggest that high levels of fecal indicator bacteria in groundwater and spring-water are not directly related to occurrence of enteric viruses.
Bacteria ; Drinking Water ; Emergencies ; Escherichia coli ; Food Services ; Groundwater ; Norovirus ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Yersinia enterocolitica

PURPOSE: Drining of Nitrate-contaminated water has been the most common cause of acquired methemoglobinemia. We had cyanotic infant diagnosed as methemoglobinemia caused by feeding with powdered formula mixed with nitrate-contaminated ground water. METHODS: We had done epidemiologic investigation to identify the cause of an infant's methemoglobinemia. Analysis of ground water and blood test of involved family members and neighbors were performed RESULTS: Analysis of the 8 household ground water revealed high level of nitrate(29837 ppm), indicating contamination of water as the cause of methemoglobinemia. We had done blood tests to evaluate the methemoglobin level of 65 people in the neighborhood ; among them, there was no infant and we could not find another cyanotic case of methemoglobinemia. They had normal blood level of methemoglobinemic concentration. CONCLUSIONS: If ground water will be used for drinking water, especially for formula water, epidemiologic investigation and analysis of ground waters should be recommended.
Drinking Water ; Family Characteristics ; Groundwater* ; Hematologic Tests ; Humans ; Infant ; Methemoglobin ; Methemoglobinemia* ; Residence Characteristics

We are calling the erupting ground water as drug water or mineral water in Korea and thinking those water and food making water. Authors tried to investigate the evidence of contamination by user on the 10 erupting ground water and gained following results: 1. All of the mineral waters on 10 area in Seoul were unfittable to drinking water standard. 2. In the view of the bacteriology 80% were contaminated by coliform group. 3. The highest value of the free carbon dioxide contents were 652.96 ppm at Sam Sun Mineral Water.
Bacteriology ; Carbon Dioxide ; Drinking Water ; Groundwater ; Korea ; Mineral Waters* ; Seoul* ; Solar System ; Thinking ; Water

In May 2011, five consecutive gastroenteritis outbreaks were reported at schools in Gyeonggi-do. Epidemiological inspection revealed that one food manufacture company provided 'Kimchi', a traditional Korean side-dish, to these five schools for catering services. Fecal specimens were collected from students and food-handlers to determine causative viral agents. Norovirus genogroup GI was detected from 58 samples out of total 239 specimens by reverse-transcription (RT)-PCR, whereas norovirus GII was found only from one sample. Epidemiological studies also revealed that the Kimchi was processed using groundwater in the food manufacture company. Four groundwater samples were collected from the company and around the area. Norovirus GI was detected from three samples. To determine the norovirus genotypes of positive specimens from clinical and groundwater samples, sequencing and phylogenetic analyses were performed. The genogroup GI from 58 clinical and three groundwater samples and the GII from one food-handler were identified as norovirus GI.3 and GII.18, respectively. Sequence alignment analysis with norovirus GI.3 isolates revealed that identity between clinical and groundwater samples was over than 99.1% in nucleotide level. In conclusion, norovirus GI.3-contaminated groundwater caused the gastroenteritis outbreaks of five schools, through Kimchi. This molecular epidemiological study was an important report in Korea that clearly identified all transmission routes of norovirus GI.3.
Disease Outbreaks ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Gastroenteritis ; Genotype ; Groundwater ; Humans ; Korea ; Norovirus ; Republic of Korea ; Sequence Alignment

An epidemiologic investigation was conducted to identify the source of infection and the mode of transmission of typhoid fever outbreak occurred in Ohchun middle and high schools located in Young il Gun, Kyungpook Province from May 21 to Jun 4, 1994. Four out of 13 hospitalized students in three general hospitals in Pohang City were culture positive typhoid fever (Salmonella typhi Group D). Review of the in and outpatient logbooks of the three general hospitals in Pohang City, county health center and local clinics in the vicinity of the Ohchun middle and high schools suggested that the outbreak was confined to the schools. Drinking water source of the schools was two underground water pumps that had no treatment facilities; one in northern end and the other in southern end of the main school building. However, the southern water pump was closed on April 28, 1994 because a recent test for the water revealed E-coli suggesting a possible fecal contamination. Two hundred twenty students stated that they had experienced symptoms related to typhoid fever since April l, 1994 in a self administered questionaire survey of all of the 2, 226 students. Personal interviews with these 220 students were performed to confirm the clinical history together with a rectal swab culture for typhoid fever and Widal test. A total of 39 patients were detected; 15 confirmed cases (culture-positive) and 24 suspected cases (symptom positive with equal to or greater than 1:160 titer of Salmonella O-antibody or 1:320 titer of H-antibody titer in Widal test). The epidemic curve showed a unimodal curve with a peak on the second week(17 May, 1994) and tailed down to the 5th week (22 28 May, 1994). The overall incidence rate of typhoid fever was 1.8 per 100 students; 1.5 (1.6 for male, 1.5 for female) in the middle school and 2. 4 (6. 2 for male, 0. 4 for female) in the high school. When contrasted with the students who did not drink water at all in the school, the relative risks of incidence rate of typhoid fever for the students who drank the underground water of the school, both underground water and water brought from home, or water brought from home only were 55.5, 19.0, and 3.0 respectively. Three classes which had especially high incidence rates of typhoid fever were located in the southern part of the main school building, where the contaminated underground water pump is located. These findings suggested that the source of infection was the contaminated underground water of the school. Both of the two underground water pumps were closed permanently and the public running water was supplied to the schools.
Drinking Water ; Groundwater ; Gyeongsangbuk-do* ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Outpatients ; Running ; Salmonella ; Typhoid Fever* ; Water