活動報告
Overseas Field Training：Survey on microbial water quality and prevalence of diarrheal pathogens of surface water in the Mekong delta, Vietnam
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Vo Thi Minh Tam
Department of International Environmental and Agricultural Science
Destination and period: Can Tho and Hue in Vietnam, 3 Sep. - 1 Oct., 2012
The Mekong Delta is one of the biggest and most fertile deltas in South East Asia. Fast economic development combined with weak
wastewater management practices is continuously polluting of water quality in the Mekong Delta (MD). This is placing additional stress
on the significantly high prevalence of waterborne diseases in the region. The pollution of water with human and animal waste is a
source of hazardous pathogens and contamination of natural water bodies poses a serious health risk. This study was carried out to
survey the microbial water quality of surface water in the Mekong delta Vietnam, especially the impact of livestock production on the water
pollution. Total amounts of coliform and Escherichia coli used as indicators of water contamination. Enterotoxigenic Echerichia coli(ETEC)
was surveyed to assess the transmittance of diarrhea pathogen in surface water in MD. Water samples were collected from 4 canal (Hai
canal, Vinh Te canal, Que canal and Hem Bay canal), 3 sites of Hau river in An Giang province, Can Tho city and one lake water sample in
Can Tho city, which were affected by domestic and agricultural discharge. Additionally, waste water samples were collected in 3 farms in
Hau Giang province and Can Tho city for estimation of microbial pollution load of livestock production. The result showed the water
sources from canal, river and lake in urban area and near livestock farms were highly contaminated with coliform and E.coli. No
enterotoxigenic E.coli pathogen was found in tested area at surveyed time. Quantitative results revealed the presence of pathogenic
organisms and water quality risk factors due to bad hygiene behavior and poor sanitation in urban area and livestock production.
Continued water quality monitoring, good wastewater management, and healthy domestic hygiene practices were highly recommended.
Key words: water pollution, coliform, E. coli, Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), parasite