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🛒 تسوق الآنLibyan Study Reveals E. Coli Contamination in Mosque Water in Tajoura
Libyan Study Reveals E. Coli Contamination in Mosque Water in Tajoura
26% of Water Samples Test Positive for E. Coli in Libyan Mosques and Quran Centers
A recent scientific study conducted by the Libyan Advanced Center for Chemical Analysis has uncovered alarming levels of bacterial contamination in water sources used by several mosques and a Quran memorization center in the Tajoura area of Tripoli. The research, which analyzed 38 water samples collected from 19 mosques and one Quran center, found that 26% of samples contained Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria, rendering them unsafe for drinking according to World Health Organization (WHO) standards.
The study titled "Assessment of Water Quality Used in Some Mosques and a Quran Memorization Center in the Tajoura Area," co-authored by researcher Hend Al-Khamaisi, was published by the Libyan Advanced Center for Chemical Analysis as part of ongoing efforts to evaluate groundwater quality across Libyan communities.
Study Methodology and Scope
The research team collected 38 groundwater samples from 19 mosques and one Quran memorization center within Tajoura Municipality. Each sample underwent comprehensive physical, chemical, and microbiological testing to assess overall water quality and safety for human consumption.
The study area was selected due to Tajoura's reliance on groundwater sources and the high volume of daily visitors to mosques and religious education centers, who depend on these water supplies for drinking and ablution purposes.
Chemical Analysis Findings
The results revealed significant variation in water composition across the sampled locations. The pH levels ranged between 6.89 and 7.76, falling within the acceptable limits for drinking water. However, several other parameters exceeded recommended thresholds.
Electrical conductivity, a key indicator of dissolved mineral content, measured as high as 12,540 microsiemens per centimeter (µS/cm) — far above the typical acceptable range for potable water. Total dissolved solids (TDS) ranged dramatically from 478 to 7,800 milligrams per liter.
The study also documented elevated levels of total water hardness. The Musa bin Nusayr Mosque recorded the highest hardness value at 2,362 mg/L, indicating extremely hard water that can pose health risks with prolonged consumption. Concentrations of sodium, potassium, bicarbonate, and calcium were also elevated, which researchers attributed to potential seawater intrusion and surrounding human activities affecting groundwater sources.
Microbiological Contamination: A Public Health Concern
the microbiological analysis confirmed that 26% of all sampled water sources contained E. coli bacteria, a clear indicator of fecal contamination and a direct threat to public health. Water containing E. coli is immediately classified as unsafe for human consumption under WHO guidelines.
"The presence of E. coli in mosque water supplies poses a significant health risk, especially for children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals," researchers noted in their findings.
E. coli infection can cause severe gastrointestinal illness, including diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting. In vulnerable populations, it can lead to life-threatening complications such as hemolytic uremic syndrome.
Calls for Urgent Action
the study urged authorities to take immediate action, including installing proper water disinfection and filtration systems, regular water quality monitoring, and identifying and eliminating sources of contamination at their origin.
"The health of thousands of worshippers and Quran students depends on access to clean, safe water," the study emphasized. "We call upon the relevant municipal authorities in Tajoura to prioritize this issue and implement a systematic water safety plan."
The findings also highlight broader concerns about groundwater quality management in Libyan urban areas, where aging infrastructure, seawater intrusion, and inadequate treatment facilities continue to compromise water safety.
Implications for Public Health in Libya
This study is a stark reminder of water quality challenges in libyan communities. With many areas relying on untreated or poorly treated groundwater sources, the risk of waterborne diseases remains elevated across the country.
Public health experts have long warned that inadequate water quality monitoring in religious and educational institutions places vulnerable populations at risk. The Tajoura study provides concrete, empirical evidence that these concerns are well-founded and demand immediate policy response.
Water safety advocates are now calling for similar studies to be conducted in other Libyan municipalities to build a comprehensive national picture of water quality in public facilities, with the goal of developing nationwide standards and intervention protocols.
— Libya Press / Health Desk
