Drinking Water Quality and Availability Assessment: A Case Study of Filtration Plants in Islamabad, Pakistan

Abstract

This research study focuses on drinking water availability and quality assessment in Islamabad, Pakistan, with a specific emphasis on the installed filtration plants operated by the Capital Development Authority (CDA). The objectives of this study is to assess drinking water quality through checking microbiological and physiochemical parameters and to assess availability on different locations in Islamabad. The study gathered information from ten functional filtration plants, polled 100 respondents, and collected water samples for microbiological and physio chemical testing. Water samples tested from microbiology, chemistry and waste water labs of IESE (Institute of Environmental Sciences and Engineering), NUST. Carried out a cross sectional study for availability survey to study the public’s perceptions and consumption patterns. Six locations had satisfactory microbiological quality, according to the results of the microbiological tests with 0/100ml counts of total and fecal coliforms, whereas samples from four locations had coliform and fecal coliform bacteria >23. Physical and chemical characteristics fell within acceptable bounds with mean values of pH (6.986), TDS (236.4), hardness (148.8), turbidity (0.068), chlorides (21.1), and nitrates (32.286). According to survey findings, people between the ages of 26 and 35 with 32% of responses frequency were more concerned about issues relating to water, which highlights the necessity for focused awareness campaigns. Gender participation disparities made it clear how crucial it is to include women in debates about water. The equal deployment of filtration plants, mostly in residential areas, around Islamabad highlights how important it is for homes to have access to clean water. Location of filtration plant, type of property, plant’s hygiene and frequency of bringing in water have significant impact on drinking water availability with p values .021, <.001, .011 and .033. The study sheds light on the availability and quality of water in Islamabad which can aid in formulating required policies in future.