ABSTRACT

This research was performed in order to examine helminth contaminated wastewaters used in agriculture in Afyonkarahisar. Ten rural areas were selected that used water for agricultural purposes from a creek contaminated with human and animal wastes. Between September 2004 and August 2005, these areas were visited once every two weeks, and a total of 240 water samples were collected. Out of untreated water samples, 32 samples (26.70%) had helminth eggs, whereas there were neither helminths nor developmental stages of helminths (p< 0.001) in treated water samples. Cestode eggs were seen in 10.00% of untreated water samples and nematode eggs were seen in 16.70%. Out of the helminth eggs, 13 (40.60%) were hookworm eggs; 6 (18.75%), Taenia spp.; 5 (5.60%), Ascaris lumbricoides; 3 (9.40%), Hymenolepis diminuta; 3 (9.40%), H. nana; and 2 (6.25%), Toxocara spp. In conclusion; the creek was found to be contaminated by helminths originating from human and animal wastes in Afyonkarahisar. This type of water presents a risk for human and animal health and contaminated waters, therefore, should be avoided in irrigation of vegetables and fruit consumed raw.