Chemical and microbial investigation of drinking water sources from Kohat, Pakistan

International Journal of Physical Sciences

Naeem Khan¹ 

关键词: Drinking water;    Kohat;    chemical;    Escherichia coli;    American Public Health Association (APHA).;   

DOI  :  10.5897/IJPS12.396

学科分类：物理（综合）

来源: Academic Journals

【 摘 要 】

Safe drinking water is one of the basic human rights and essential need for healthy life.In Pakistan, the quality of drinking water is not being managed properly and various studies provide evidence that most of the drinking-water supplies are contaminated. In this study, 60 drinking water samples from both urban and rural areas of district Kohat were analyzed chemically and microbiologically, to find out their suitability for drinking purposes. Fifty-four samples were collected from hand pumps, streams, tanks, wells and tube wells, at 15 main population zones selected. Six bottled water samples were also taken from the open market for analysis. These were investigated for various chemicalparameters including sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), sulfate (SO42-), phosphate (PO4-3), nitrate (NO3-), and nitrite (NO2-), using standard methods of analysis recommended by American Public Health Association (APHA). Microbiological analysis was also carried out forEscherichia coli,to find out any fecal contamination. The results of parameters showed variations from the WHO and Pakistan standard values for drinking water (Table 1). The K+and NO2−of 3%, SO42−of 7%, Na+of 9% and NO3−of 16% samples were found to be higher than the WHO/Pakistan recommended values for drinking water.E. coliwere found present in 70% of samples. From the results itwasconfirmedthat majority of water sources are not safe to drink. Therefore, proper measuresby the concerned authorities are required,to avoid health hazards.

【 授权许可】

CC BY