VPE 511: Environment and Environmental Hygiene (2+1)

FUNGI

• Since all free-living fungi are saprophytic, i.e. derive their nourishment from decomposing organic material, the occurrence of fungi growing in water is evidence of the presence in the water in question of decomposing organic substances, and therefore of possible excretal pollution.
• The number of species of aquatic fungi is small, and of these the only one which needs consideration in relation to the purity of water supply is the association of fungi, bacteria and protozoa, commonly known as the “Sewage Fungus” which may be found in streams and rivers into which sewage effluent is discharged.
• The appearance presented by this growth is that of a dirty yellow or greyish jelly-like film covering the bottom and sides of the watercourse in which it occurs, and which is especially abundant where the current is slow or the watercourse tortuous.
• It may be found growing plentifully in drains which carry off the effluent water of sewage farms. Whenever this fungus occurs, it is certain sign of the presence in the water of a large quantity of organic compounds and, therefore, of possible pollution either with sewage effluent, or perhaps with raw sewage.