Health risks of water wells in the Moorish baths: correlation between pathogenic bacteria and determination of gradients of contamination

Abstract

The emergence of pathogens in water cold of baths Moors served by wells have been chlorinated or not, is a major concern in terms of the public health industry and the public authorities concerned. Among these pathogens, some are of fecal origin (Escherichia coli, intestinal enterococci, anaerobic sulphite-reducing or Clostridia), while others live in the natural environment (Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). In order to establish a risk analysis related to the presence of these pathogens, it is important to increase our knowledge on the ecology of these microorganisms and to develop analytical tools to achieve better health monitoring. In total 568 samples sanitary cold water during the four seasons, to evaluate by PCA (Principal Component Analysis) the bacteriological quality of pathogens and to define spatiotemporal and seasonal gradients of contamination. Thus, could be determined three groups of bacteriological contamination (i) Gr1 well Moorish baths which is moving towards a contamination by fecal indicators (E. coli, intestinal enterococci, anaerobic sulphite-reducing); (ii) Gr 2 wells Moorish baths which is moving towards a contamination with P. aeruginosa; (iii) Gr 3 wells Moorish baths which is moving towards a contamination by S. aureus. Also, a seasonal gradient of correlation between these pathogens increases slightly in the winter, spring and summer to autumn.