Microbial Quality of Drinking and Utility Water in Tourism Facilities in Antalya

The microbial quality of drinking and utility water is important for public health, environmental safety, and overall well-being. Contaminated water can harbor harmful microorganisms that can cause a wide range of diseases. Governments set standards for the microbiological quality of drinking water, and it is required to regularly test and monitor the microbial content of water to meet these standards. This study investigated the microbial quality of drinking and utility water in different hotels in Antalya during high season (June – July – August – September) in 2022 and 2023. 270 water samples for each year – 540 samples in total were collected from 12 different hotels. Total coliform and E. coli analyses were performed via membrane filtration analysis, and the results were verified by using oxidase test and indole test. The results showed that only 1 hotel out of 12 have met the safety criteria required in the legislation. All the other 11 hotels had overall microbial counts over the legal limits. In 2022, total coliforms were detected in 8 hotels at 29 different sample spots, and E. coli growth was found in the water used for washing vegetables only in 1 establishment. In 2023, total coliforms were found in 11 hotels at 53 different spots, and E. coli was detected in the samples taken from the ice machines at 3 facilities. The results concluded that microbiological contamination occurs in drinking and utility water, especially originated from ice machines, in tourism facilities if the required hygiene and sanitation criteria are not provided.