Physical, Chemical and Bacteriological contamination of Drinking Water Sources of Taluka Sehwan, District Jamshoro, Sindh.

Abstract

Background: Water pollution is one of the major threats to public health in Pakistan. Worldwide, around one billion people lack
access to safe water supply, and two million annual deaths are attributed to unsafe water, sanitation and hygiene. Drinking water quality is poorly managed and monitored. Drinking water sources, both surface and
groundwater are contaminated with coliforms, toxic metals and pesticides throughout the country. The drinking
water quality parameters set by the WHO are frequently violated.
Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the concentrations of various pollutants in drinking water
in Taluka Sehwan, Sindh; and disseminate information for the control of community health hazards
Material and Methods: The drinking water samples were collected from 36 randomly selected water sources
from the villages of four union councils of Taluka Sehwan as per standard procedure. These samples were transported to Water Testing & Surveillance Laboratory, Department of Community Medicine, Liaquat University of
Medical & Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Sindh and were assessed for physico-chemical parameters like turbidity,
pH, EC (Electro Conductivity), salinity, TDS (Total Dissolved Salts), arsenic and chlorides. The water samples
were also analyzed for the presence of fecal bacteria.
Results: The turbidity of 28 out of 36samples was within permissible limits of NSDWQ/WHO. The EC of only
three samples was within the permissible limits; and TDS of 32 samples was above the permissible limits. All pH
values were in standard range i.e. 6.5 to 8.5. Arsenic was found higher than permissible limits in six samples; and
Chlorides were within the Pak/ WHO criteria of only four samples. Eight samples contained unacceptable number
of coliform.
Conclusion: Drinking water of the surveyed areas was found contaminated with arsenic, chlorides, TDS, and
with coliform bacteria due to improper disposal of sewage and excessive application of fertilizers. The quality of
drinking water was below the required standards, hence unfit for human consumption.
Keywords: Water Contamination, Drinking Water, Unsafe Water, Health Impacts.