EVALUATION OF DRINKING WATER QUALITY IN TEHSIL KAHUTA, RAWALPINDI

Abstract

This research work is related to the routine analysis i.e., the quantitative measurement of Physical (pH, Conductivity, Turbidity, Color), Chemical (Total Dissolved Solids, Total Hardness, Chlorides, Nitrate, Calcium, Magnesium, Silicon, Copper, Iron, Manganese, COD), and Biological parameters (Standard Total Coliform, Fecal Coliform) of drinking water of tehsil Kahuta and the findings were compared with WHO standards. This research also aims on suitability of ground water for drinking, agriculture and industrial purposes and possible ground water contamination due to poor management practices related to generation of untreated wastewater cause pollution of both surface and ground water bodies. Water samples from twenty different locations of this region were collected for analysis. All these samples were analyzed according to standard methods. On the basis of this study it was evaluated that the Physical and Chemical parameters of all the sites lies within the limits of WHO standards. The value of hardness is between 94mg/L to 480 mg/L as CaC03. According to hardness classification, the water of this region lies in the moderately to very hard range. WHO limit of total hardness as aesthetic quality is 500 mg/L. According to hardness classification, though water of this region is as good for drinking as well as for agriculture use, but is not suitable for washing and industrial purposes especially for boilers and heat exchangers. Furthermore, scale can accumulate on the inside of appliances, such as dishwashers, and pipes. Due to these reasons a technique was developed for softening the hard water. Lime (CaO) and soda ash (Na2C03) was used for softening process. This technique was very cost effective and the expenses for removing 75% hardness were only 2.50 Rupees per hundred Liters. However on the observation of Biological parameters it was found that fecal coliform test of eight sites was positive. The presence of fecal coliform bacteria in these sites indicates that disease-causing organisms (pathogens) may be present in the water system, and are considered to be harmful to humans which may adversely affect the overall health of the people on prolonged usage of these substandard waters. Therefore a proper treatment is required before use of water from these sites.