Hygiene Aspects of Drinking Water Sources Used in Primary Milk Production

Nada Sasakova1, Gabriela Gregova1, Jan Venglovsky1, Ingrid Papajova2, Bozena Nowakowicz-Debek3, and Nadya

Bozakova4

1. University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Kosice, Department of Environment, Veterinary Legislation and Economics, Komenského 73, 041 81 Košice, The Slovak Republic

2. Parasitological Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 040 01 Košice, The Slovak Republic

3. Department of Animal Hygiene and Environment, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, ul. Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Polska

4. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Trakia University – Stara Zagora, Bulgaria

Abstract: Five sources of drinking water (2 for mass supply, 3 for individual supply) located on agricultural farms in potentially contaminated area were examined throughout one year for quality and suitability for use for primary milk production. Chemical investigation showed that limits for nitrates and chlorides set by the relevant legislation were exceeded in sources for individual supply. Coliform bacteria as an indicator of faecal contamination were present only in sources for individual supply and the limits were exceeded particularly in spring, summer and fall. Limits for bacteria cultivated at 37°C (BC37) were exceeded only in source No. 4 in

autumn. The samples from individual supply showed the highest bacteriological contamination. In sources for mass supply limits for E.coli were not exceeded, but they were exceeded throughout investigations in sources for individual supply.

Key words: drinking water, sources, quality, coliform bacteria, E.coli