Bacteriological and Physicochemical Investigation of Residential Water Storage Tanks in the District of Seyhan, Adana Province

This study was carried out in order to determine the physicochemical and microbiological quality of the water storage tanks located in the apartment buildings in the Seyhan district of Adana. For this purpose, a total of 159 water samples were collected from 53 apartment, including the inlet, outlet of water storage tank and from the first floor. Colonic counts at 37 °C, Enterecocci, E. coli, total coliform bacteria were investigated for microbiological analysis, while taste, odor, turbidity, total hardness, pH and residual chlorine were measured for physicochemical properties in water samples. The samples that were taken 132 ？.ü. Müh. Mim. Fak. Dergisi, 33(1), Mart 2018 from the inlet of the tanks showed 0,63% total coliform bacteria, 1,89% total colonic counts, 0% E. coli. The outlet sample analysis indicated 0,63% Enterecocci, 14,5% total colonic counts, 5% total coliform bacteria and 0% E.coli. In the field measurements, the residual chlorine was only measured for 4 apartments. It had been observed that the water samples were of the medium moderate hardness. Also, no color, taste, turbidity or odor problems were observed in the samples except for 2 water samples. When the pH levels of the samples were examined, it was measured that the pH of the tap water had values varying between 6.9-8.4 and an average value of 7.4. As a result of our study, it was seen that even if the water reaches in a clean condition up to the in-building water structures, the tanks that the water is kept play an important role in the sanitation of the water