Study of the sterilization efficiency of the reverse osmosis water system in the neighborhoods of Babylon Governorate

Abstract

Background: Individuals requirements accessibility to purification of water for drinking as well as essentials. Illnesses attributed to water-borne pathogens, notably Escherichia coli, are still widespread in underdeveloped areas. Although reverse osmosis (RO) systems are extensively employed as home purification units in Iraq, there has been inadequate research of their microbiological activity under local environments. Objectives: In Babylon Governorate, Iraq, this study set out to contrast the bacteriological and physicochemical properties of tap water with RO-treated water and for evaluating the effectiveness of RO systems implemented in households. Design and Sample: An analytical comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2025 to May 2026. Two hundred matched water samples (100 tap water and 100 RO water) were collected from 100 houses in Babylon Governorate and tested at Al-Qasim General Hospital. Results: E. coli was detected in 31.0% of tap water samples and 23.0% of RO water samples. All parameters analyzed (pH, residual chlorine, EC, TDS, TOC, COD and UV absorbance) have been significantly (all P < 0.001) decreased upon completing RO treatment. RO water has a high quality of 90.0% compared to tap water 64.0%. Conclusion: Domestic RO systems were effective in improving the physicochemical water quality but recurrent bacterial contamination underscores a requirement for routine maintenance, membrane monitoring and continual microbiological surveillance to prevent biofilm formation and assure water safety.