Abstract

• Bacteriological analysis was done from May, 2013 to September 2015. A total of 21 water samples were collected from natural ponds from different locations in Wartarya Village, Htan-TaPin Township, Yangon Region. There are seven ponds in Wartarya village. All water samples were found to be contaminated with faecal coliforms and the range of faecal coliforms counts were observed between 4 and 1600 MPN/100ml. The minimum amount of faecal coliforns found in the samples was 8 MPN/100ml and the maximum amount was 1600 PMN/100ml in summer. In contrast, the minimum amount of faecal coliforms found in the samples was 4 MPN/100ml and the maximum amount was 50 MPN/100ml in wet season. Some physical parameters of the samples were also recorded. The range of temperature at the sampling sites was from 27˚C to 33˚C, pH from 7.0 to 9.0 and DO from 4 mg/L to 12mg/L. The range of metallic ions such as Fe in the pond waters during summer (May) ranged from 0.22mg/L to 0.26mg/L whereas in the raining season (July) Fe ions varied from 0.27mg/L -0.72mg/L. By contrast, calcium (Ca) varied from 1.20mg/L - 11.46mg/Lin the summer (May) and 0.5mg/L -8.3mg/L during the raining season (July).Lead (Pb) was absent in all pond waters during rainy and summer seasons. All chemical elements present in the water were within the WHO and ICMR permissible limits and thus safe for human consumption. The findings of the current study indicated the presence of acceptable limits of the chemicals, metallic irons concentrations and safety of the waters for drinking and other purposes. However, the studied areas were polluted by faecal coliforms bacteria posing harzard to the populace especially in summer. Hence, the environmental hygiene needs to be improved in Wartarya village. This research highlights that water need to be boiled before drinking or washing.