Physiochemical and Microbiological Analysis of Drinking Water from Public Places of Bhimdatta Municipality

Abstract

People on globe are under tremendous threat due to undesired changes in the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of air, water and soil. Due to increased human population, industrialization, use of fertilizers and man-made activity water is highly polluted with different harmful contaminants. Diseases caused by contaminated drinking water and poor hygiene practice are the leading cause of death among human population worldwide. In order to understand the quality of drinking water supplied at public places of Bhimdatta municipality, physiochemical and microbiological parameters were analyzed. A total of 70 samples including 45 (64.29%) tap water samples and 25 (35.71%) hand pump samples were collected and analyzed. The purpose of study was to analyze physiochemical and microbiological parameters of samples and compare them with the WHO standards. Various physiochemical parameters such as temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO) and chloride concentration were analyzed, and results revealed variations among the entire samples in comparison with the WHO standards. Microbiological analysis was performed using MF technique. 63 (90%) water samples crossed the WHO guideline value in total coliform count. 11 samples were culture positive with two different genera in which E. coli (8) was predominant followed by Klebsiella spp. (3). The statistical analysis showed positive association between culture result and water sources (p=0.0128). The study showed deterioration of water quality. So, there is need of routine water quality monitoring and improvement in water treatment and supply system, because due to use of contaminated drinking water, human population suffers from varied of water-borne diseases. There is also need to create awareness about present situation of water quality.