Investigation On Inactivation Efficiency Of Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria By Ultraviolet And Ultrasound Technologies And Possible Application In Water Quality Management In Congo

Effective and efficient WASH services are essential for a healthy and dignified life,especially under the need to control the outbreak of highly contagious diseases such as the SARS-CoV-2,which requires clean and sufficient domestic clean water for proper hand wash and general public and household sanitation and hygiene.The content of faeces related Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria(ARB)have continued to rise in aquatic ecosystems and in wastewater treatment plants including in Africa such as Pointe-Noire Town and TandouBoma Village in the Republic of Congo(RC),and there is need to strengthen the available drug resistant bacteria(DRB)detection and removal technologies for improved water quality and human health in such areas.Ultraviolet(UV)radiation and Ultrasonic technologies are becoming sustainable wastewater treatment options.However,the individual or combined performance of the two technologies(UV radiation and US)in the elimination of drug resistant E.coli is a topic that still requires proper understanding.The study methods involve the evaluation of perception and status of domestic water pollution and wastewater treatment approaches within pointe-Noire Town and Tandou-Boma Village in the Republic of Congo(RC)using the conventional and the novel ERVQUALAHP questionnaire-based models under the existing COVID-19 pandemic.It also aimed at experimentally determining the potential of individual and combined/integrated ultraviolet radiation and ultrasonic technologies performance in the elimination of Erythromycin,Quinolones,Sulfonamide and Tetracycline resistant E.coli bacteria from domestic effluents.The study results showed that the WASH status was poor,and there was high preference for solar radiation disinfection as alternative technology in WASH quality improvement in Pointe-Noire Town and Tandou-Boma Village.However,lack of knowledge and finances were the main impediments to quality WASH status that is necessary for the control diseases transmission,including COVID-19 pandemic.The application of both the UV radiation and ultrasonic disinfection techniques in wastewater management was effective in the removal of drug resistant bacteria from wastewater and proved to be the best alternative that should be implemented to provide quality WASH conditions in Pointe-Noire Town and Tandou-Boma Village of the Republic of Congo(RC).The ultraviolet radiation experiment was able to significantly eliminate Erythromycin,Quinolones,Sulfonamide and Tetracycline resistant E.coli from the wastewater to less than 2 log units.However,on combining the two technologies,there was further reduction to 1 log unit,pointing out to the need for integrating the two approaches in wastewater purification for increased wastewater treatment efficiencies.In conclusion the study supports ERVQUAL-AHP in WASH studies and also recommends the incorporation of integrated ultraviolet-ultrasonic technologies in the removal Erythromycin,Quinolones,Sulfonamide and Tetracycline resistant E.coli from domestic wastewater for improved water quality and health.