[Microbiological analysis of well water samples in the rural areas near Ankara]

The water from wells and running water in different rural parts of Ankara were analyzed microbiologically with the thought in mind that the use of unhealthy well water could cause infections, as shown in other cities. We found that of the 50 running water samples all (100%) were drinkable from the microbiological point of view regard to coliform bacteria and total germ count, while only 20 of the 150 well water samples (13.3%) met these standards. It was pointed out by the users that chlorination was carried out in only 22 of the wells (14.6%) and only irregularly; no coliform bacteria were found in water samples from these wells. In 117 well water samples (78%) 120 coliform bacteria strains were isolated, of these 80 were E. coli, 27 Enterobacter and 13 Citrobacter. All samples were analyzed for Giardia intestinalis cysts but found to be negative.