Total Coliform and Fecal Coliform Bacterial Estimation Assessing Water Quality of Lake Saheb Bandh

Manmade urban lakes are potential tourism site as well as a source of livelihood. urban lake Saheb Bandh in Purulia district were being used by the local communities residing nearby for various purposes such as fishing purposes, ecotourism, waste disposal, idol immersion, swimming, bathing and drinking purposes. Thus, Saheb Bandh Lake situated between 23º29'42"N latitude and 86º21'37"E longitude of Purulia district, West Bengal, India was assessed to study bacteriological characteristics of the lake water for quality assessment of drinking and recreational purposes. Studies on the abundance and distribution of heterotrophic bacterial communities of Total Coliform (TC) bacteria and Fecal Coliform (FC) bacteria revealed a distinct seasonal variation of their population with relatively higher values in summer and monsoon season and lower during winter. All the samples obtained from the lake were positive with respect to the coliform occurrence, though the count was variable ranged between 0.05×103 MPN/100 ml. and 8.75×103 MPN/100 ml. in TC whereas in FC it was ranged between 0.01×104 MPN/100 ml. and 5.65×104 MPN/100 ml. Highest proportion of indicator coliforms was found in the water samples collected from the littoral zone where anthropogenic disturbances taken place. The results showed that the most of the water samples lying in category III and category IV and 0% sample lying in category I. The results allow to conclude that none of the studied water samples was fit for drinking purposes in view of high coliform count, could be used for bathing, swimming and recreational purposes. This result has important implications for municipality and local inhabitants that use the water of this lake for various purposes.