The level of aquatic yeast as a possible indicator of microbiological quality of urban recreational water reservoirs

ABSTRACT Sanitary indicators standardly used in water quality monitoring refer to fecal microorganisms or cyanobacterial toxins, but at present they do not include fungi, despite the fact that many fungi can pose potential health hazards. The aim of study was a quantitative and qualitative assessment of yeast in waters of urban artificial recreational reservoirs in relation to microbiological and sanitary cleanliness indicators and to demonstrate that yeast could be an indicator of anthropogenic pollution. In total, 18 species of yeast were isolated, including 13 classified as clinically relevant. Tested reservoirs exceeded the standards of sanitary indicators acceptable for bathing water. Since isolated yeasts are associated with living organisms, their presence in the water of urban recreational reservoirs may be a public health concern. Therefore, a mycological analysis should be incorporated into standard water quality assessment procedures. The results obtained are very promising, but further research is still needed.