Bacteriological and Chemical Analysis of Drinking Water in Sargodha City, Pakistan

Abstract

In Pakistan, the chemical and bacteriological quality of drinking water is not closely monitored and prevalence of waterborne
diseases due to the bacterial contamination is among the most common problems faced in urban and rural areas. Due to major
health concerns, it was decided to examine the water quality of Sargodha city. In this work, a total of 31 water samples were collected from eight different areas of Sargodha city. These samples included tap water, bore water, water filter plants, bottled water from different companies, hand pumps and canal water. Chemical analysis results indicated that calcium, magnesium, total dissolved solids (TDS) and alkalinity level of tap water and bore water was higher than normal range of world health organization (WHO). Nitrate level was also high in few water samples. Chlorine was found below detectable range in almost 90% water samples. 70% of water samples were contaminated with coliforms. The presence of E. coli was detected in 45% water samples. Most of the water samples contained a high number of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. All these unhygienic conditions of water are responsible for spreading harmful diseases such as bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, eyes and skin infection, fluorosis, dental plaque etc.