Abstract:
Clean drinking water is a major concern in developing countries like Pakistan, where families and communities rely on private water supply systems, distant filters, water bores, etc. The present study evaluated the drinking water quality from different sources i.e., tube wells, filter water, reservoir water, and water from different companies in the Quetta city, Baluchistan. The results of physical analysis for tube well samples revealed that pH, temperature was within the safe limit in all samples. The TDS, EC and Turbidity exceeded in some samples. The parameters (pH, TDS, EC, Temp and turbidity) in filter, and reservoir samples were all within the safe limit. The parameters in company water samples were also within the safe range except for TDS which exceeded in one (C2) sample. The results of chemical analysis for tube well samples revealed that chlorides and sodium were within safe limits in all 21 samples except for T7. Hardness was also within range except for a few samples. Alkalinity was within safe limits in all samples. Mg2+ exceeded in all samples (21) except for T7 and T20. Ca2+ was within range in all samples other than some samples. Cl, Na, Alkalinity, hardness and Ca2+ in all filter and reservoir samples were within the range except for Mg2+ which exceeded the safe limit in 4 out of 5 samples. Water samples from companies had all chemical parameters within safe range except for Mg2+ which exceeded in 5 out of 6 samples. The results of biological analysis showed that 7 out of 21 tube-well water samples had total coliforms, making the water unfit for drinking. This also points towards the poor and unsatisfactory water quality of these tube wells. 4 of 7 tube wells had an uncountable growth of total coliforms. The highest number was found in Tube well 8 following the TW10 and 20. No total coliforms were detected in samples of filter water, reservoir water, and water taken from different companies. The results of elemental analysis revealed that all trace elements (Mg, Ca, Mn, Mo, Co, Li, Ag, Hg, S, Se, Sr, Si, Pd, Al, B, Zn, Ba) and heavy metals (Cr, Cd, As, Ni, Pb, Cu) were within the recommended limits given by Pak EPA and NEQs. Overall, the water quality of tube wells seems unsatisfactory. The water quality of reservoirs, filter plants, and different companies used for drinking can be deemed satisfactory and fit for drinking.
