Middle-East Journal of Scientific Research 17 (3): 270-274, 2013 ISSN 1990-9233 © IDOSI Publications, 2013 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.mejsr.2013.17.03.74121 Corresponding Author: Davood Mehrabani, Department of Pathology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran Tel: +98-711-2341025. 270 Quality of Drinking Water of Household Filter Systems in Shiraz, Southern Iran SeyedJalil Masoumi, M. Haghkhah, D. Mehrabani, H.R. Ghasempour, Z. Esmaeelnejad, N. Ghafari, 1,2 3 4 5 5 3 A. Saeedzadeh, F. Moradi, R. Davani, S. Japoni, A. Japoni and A. Rezaeianzadeh 3 6 5 2 7 2,8 Department of Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, 1 Nutrition and Food Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran Gastroenterohepatology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran 2 Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran 3 Stem Cell and Transgenic Technology Research Center, Department of Pathology, 4 Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran Shiraz Health Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran 5 Office of Vice Chancellor for Health, Shiraz Geriatric Research Center, 6 Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran Prof Alborzi Clinical Microbiology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran 7 Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Nutrition, 8 Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran Abstract: Contamination of drinking water is one of the causes of digestive diseases such as diarrhea while controlling of this contamination can reduce the prevalence of gastrointestinal diseases. One of the ways to overcome this problem is to apply household water filter systems (WFS), so monitoring of these filter system are crucial. This study was performed to determine microbiological quality of drinking water from household water filter systems in Shiraz, Southern Iran. A trained environmental health technician was responsible to provide 54 samples from WFSs and tap water in sterile sampling flasks. All tap water samples were chlorinated. Contamination with P. aeruginosa was 3.70% in tap water while 20.37 % of WFS. Coliform growth at 37°C and 22°C was noticed in 16.66% and 3.70% of dispensers, respectively. One of the tap water samples was positive for not-heat-resistant coliforms. All P. aeruginosa contaminated WFS were resistant to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, cefuroxime and meropenem while they were sensitive to piperacillin/tazobactam, ciprofloxacin, ceftazidime, meropenem, amikacin, piperacillin and gentamicin. So, periodical decontamination and regular filter exchanging are mandatory. Recommendation of new legislation according to international regulatory agencies to standardize the products seems necessary. Key words: Water Filter System Bacterial Contamination Drinking Water Iran INTRODUCTION waterborne pathogens and the potential undesirable Regarding knowledge of community, the quality and [5, 6]. MWD is the apparatus directly attached to portable safety of the drinking water still is an important public water supplies in private residences, offices, restaurants, health issue [1-3]. Water borne pathogens include a hospitals, etc, to improve the organoleptic and variety of microorganisms accounting for 4billion cases compositional characteristics of the tap water [7]. of infections. Each year, they may lead to 2.5 million However, recently concerns about hygiene and deaths from endemic diarrheal diseases [4]. health issues have been raised [8-10]. The quality of this The consumption of water derived from different method is important due to its potential to cause sources especially purification of tap water by micro- waterborne outbreaks associated with drinking water, filtered water dispensers (MWD) is popular among the particularly in newborn infants and immune compromised household consumers. By using this method, the populations [2]. chemicals from the water may be reduced to a safe level