Identification and removal of bacteria <i>E. coli </i>from drinking water by ascorbic acid

Abstract

Drinking water has been analysed and found to contain the bacteria predominantly <i>E.coli </i>with a large total count more than 1800 per 100 mL. It has been disinfected by several low cost alternative disinfectants which are safe and hazardless and reduce the total count considerably. Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) is a low cost substance, easily soluble in water. It has been observed that ascorbic acid treatment was superior to that by uv, activated charcoal or other methods. These treatments were cumbersome and costlier as well. The kinetics of disinfection has been studied. The data obey the empirical equation <i>N=b-a.t, </i>where <i>N </i>is the total bacterial count at any time <i>t, a </i>and <i>b</i> are constants.