Abstract:

Purpose: The aim of this study is to detect the presence of waterborne parasites in the treated wastewater in Rada'a city. Study Design: An Experimental Research Design. Materials and Methods: Waterborne parasites in the collected samples were concentrated using formol ether and zinc sulphate techniques and then microscopically analyzed to identify protozoa and helminth eggs. Fifteen treated sewage samples were randomly collected from different positions of wastewater treatment plant in three different months of 2019 (May, June and August) with three replications. Each sample was collected in one-litre volume and recorded as original sample. Parasite analysis was done using the McMaster worm egg counting slides with chamber size of 0.3 mm. Results: In this study, Giardia lamblia was found in a high percentage in comparison to other parasites, followed by Entamoeba histolytica, Entamoeba coli.  The majority of parasite eggs in the treated wastewater samples were related to Hookworm and Ascaris lumbricoide followed by Taenia saginat and Enterobius vermicularis. Furthermore, Cryptosprodium oocyst and Fasciola hepatica eggs were rarely detected. Conclusion: The observed pattern of contamination demonstrated that the quantity of parasites in sewage after treatment exceeded the permitted levels and it is necessary to modify the treatment process of wastewater to prevent the possible spread of parasitic contamination.

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