PATHOGENIC OR POTENTIALLY PATHOGENIC BACTERIA AS CONTAMINANTS OF FRESH-WATER FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES IN ARARAQUARA, BRAZIL

The microbiological quality of various fresh waters in the Araraquara region, state of Sao Paulo, Brazil was investigated. Ninety-nine water samples were taken from rivers, reservoirs, artesian and non-artesian wells, springs and tap waters, and these waters were analysed using: plate counts of heterotrophic microorganisms (per 1 ml); Most Probable Number (MPN) of fecal coliforms and E. coli (per 100 ml); tests for p resence of Salmonella, Shigella, Yersinia, the E. coli pathogens of cl asses EPEC, ETEC and EIEC and Mycobacterium, Shigella, Yersinia and en teroinvasive E. coli (EIEC) were not isolated. The other types of micr oorganisms were isolated in varying proportions. We conclude that the waters investigated represent a potential microbiological health risk.