Publication Details
Abstract
Protozoan parasites are of considerable importance in drinking water systems because their cystic stages are environmentally stable and resistant to conventional disinfection methods. This study aimed to investigate the presence of protozoan parasites in drinking water from different areas of Tikrit City, Iraq. To achieve this objective, 100 drinking water samples were collected from seven areas in Tikrit, namely Al-Arbaeen, Al-Zuhour, City Center, Al-Qadisiyah, 100-Dar, Al-Fursan, and Al-Suqour, during the period from January to May. Following collection, water samples were examined for protozoan cysts using direct wet mount examination, Lugol’s iodine staining, and the modified Ziehl–Neelsen staining technique. The results revealed that 23% of the examined samples were contaminated with protozoan parasites. The prevalence rates of the identified parasites were 14% for Giardia lamblia and 9% for Cryptosporidium parvum. The highest prevalence of parasitic contamination (40%) was recorded in Al-Suqour area, whereas the lowest prevalence rate (14.2%) was observed in Al-Zuhour area. Regarding seasonal variation, the highest prevalence rate (40%) was recorded in May, while the lowest prevalence rate (10%) was observed in both December and February. The findings demonstrated the presence of protozoan parasites in drinking water within the study area and highlighted the urgent need to improve drinking water treatment and purification systems in order to control diseases caused by these pathogens. In addition, identifying potential sources of contamination is essential for reducing public health risks and ensuring the safety of drinking water supplies.