Water Quality of Cistern Water in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. A. Preliminary Survey. B. Microbial Analysis and Major Ion Composition

摘要

Studies were conducted in two phases to investigate the scope and nature of ionic and microbial contamination of domestic cisterns in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The majority of 130 cisterns did not meet minimum U.S. microbial drinking water standards. Over 90%, whether or not they met coliform standards, were heavily contaminated. Common, potentially pathogenic, bacteria were Streptococcus faecalis, Klebshiella spp., Proteus spp., Shigella spp., and Salmonella spp. The water was examined for total dissolved solids and 10 metals. In all cases the water met the minimum standards for dissolved solids and heavy metals.