Aurora Bakaj1*, Entela Ruci (Kulla)2, Jonida Kalaja2
1* Biology Department University, Ismail Qemali, Vlore, Albania
2 Regional Department of Public Health, Durrës
*Corresponding author, e-mail: aurorabakaj@yahoo.com
Abstract
The microbial water quality of coastal beaches located in Durres, were monitored from January to December 2014 – 2015. Water samples were taken from 18 stations eventually distributed on this coast line. Fecal coliform and E. coli was estimated using standard Coliform MPN test. This test for fecal coliforms was determined by fermentation test on lactose broth for preliminary test, and on brilliant green bile confirmatory test. E. coli and fecal coliforms counts, showed a seasonal dependence, with highest values in summer and autumn suggesting a negative relationship with rainfall and a positive relationship with temperature. This could be due to the high number of people visiting the beaches in the coast line during summer time. Out of the 18 stations monitored only three showed the poorest water quality so the highest level of coliform and E. coli. The poorest water quality is especially in the urban discharged points and in the areas close to them.
Keywords: E. coli, fecal coliforms, monitoring; microbial indicators, water quality.
