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Microbial quality and molecular identification of cultivable microorganisms isolated from an urban drinking water distribution system (Limassol, Cyprus)

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Abstract

Microorganisms can survive and multiply in aged urban drinking water distribution systems, leading to potential health risks. The objective of this work was to investigate the microbial quality of tap water and molecularly identify its predominant cultivable microorganisms. Tap water samples collected from 24 different households scattered in the urban area of Limassol, Cyprus, were microbiologically tested following standard protocols for coliforms, E. coli, Pseudomonas spp., Enterococcus spp., and total viable count at 22 and 37 °C. Molecular identification was performed on isolated predominant single colonies using 16SrRNA sequencing. Approximately 85 % of the household water samples were contaminated with one or more microorganisms belonging to the genera of Pseudomonas, Corynebacterium, Agrobacterium, Staphylococcus, Bacillus, Delftia, Acinetobacter, Enterococcus, Enterobacter, and Aeromonas. However, all samples tested were free from E. coli. This is the first report in Cyprus molecularly confirming specific genera of relevant microbial communities in tap water.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the study participants allowing us to collect tap water samples.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Agricultural Sciences, Biotechnology and Food Science, Cyprus University of Technology, 3603, Limassol, Cyprus

    George Botsaris, Loukas Kanetis & Christiana Parpouna

  2. Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 70, 621 00, Brno, Czech Republic

    Michal Slaný

  3. Water and Health Laboratory, Cyprus International Institute for Environmental and Public Health in association with the Harvard School of Public Health, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus

    Konstantinos C. Makris

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  1. George Botsaris
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  2. Loukas Kanetis
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  5. Konstantinos C. Makris
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Correspondence to George Botsaris.

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Botsaris, G., Kanetis, L., Slaný, M. et al. Microbial quality and molecular identification of cultivable microorganisms isolated from an urban drinking water distribution system (Limassol, Cyprus). Environ Monit Assess 187, 739 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-015-4957-9

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