Microbiological quality of drinking water from dispensers in Italy

In all samples chemical parameters (nitrite, ammonium, free active chlorine residual) did not exceed the reference values of the drinking watwr regulation, the ph value in 86,8% samples of the carbonated watwrs was lower than the reference limit. The microbiological results indicated that the bacteria count at 22°C and 37°C was lower than the required values in 71% and 81% for the non-carbonated water and in 86% and 88% for the carbonated one, respectively. Enterococcus spp and E. coli were not detected in any of water samples P. aeruginosa was found in only one sample of the tap water and in 28,9% and 23,7% of the non-carbonated and carbonated water samples, respectively. No statistically significant defferences in bacterial counts at 22°C and 37°C have been found filter was substituted. The bacteriological quality of tap water was superior to that of non-carbonated and carbonated from coolers. The results emphasize the importance of adopting appropriate routinely monitoring system in order to prevent or to diminish the chances of contamination of this water source