Abstract:
In Pakistan, poor water quality is the main issue affecting both the environment and public health. Both groundwater and surface water including the spring water in the country have been polluted with many toxic substances, and microbes that make the water unfit for drinking. This study was conducted to evaluate the drinking water quality of town Thorar Khas, Azad Kashmir Pakistan. Twenty (20) surface and groundwater samples were collected from different villages Paniola, Kunwa, Bosagala, Naruta, Chill, Morin, Rahnilarhi, Kachal, Narha, Androt, Danna, Chill Dana, Pariya Thorar, Thorar, Main Thorar, and Thrapain. The results of physical parameters showed that groundwater samples had pH and Salts exceeding the recommended limit given by Pak EPA and WHO. The results of TDS of water samples G5 to G7, G9, G10, and S16 collected from villages Thorar, main Thorar, Thrapain, and Morin exceeded the permissible limit. The results of salts and pH of all collected water samples exceeded the recommended limit. Electrical conductivity was within the recommended limit for all surface and groundwater samples. The results of chemical parameters showed that alkalinity for four water samples G4, G6, G9 and S18 exceeded the recommended limit collected from Thorar, main Thorar, Morin, and Kachal. The results of total hardness and Chlorides were within the permissible limit for all water samples. The results of bacterial parameters showed that water samples G3, G4, G8, S15 and S18 collected from Pariya Thorar, Thorar, Mori and Kachal had the highest number of total bacterial counts. Samples G3, G4, G8, G9, S16 from villages Pariya Thorar, Thorar, Morin, showed the highest counts of coliforms. Whereas samples G4, G9, and S19 collected from Thorar, Morin and Narha showed the highest number of SS species. Overall, 5 water samples specifically G3, G4, G8, S15 and S18 collected from villages Pariya Thorar, Thorar, Morin, Chill, and Kachal exceeded the recommended limit for total bacteria which should be below 500 CFU per ml. 17 out of 20 samples showed presence of coliforms which should not be present in drinking water. 16 out of 20 samples showed growth of SS species pointing towards the poor and inadequate quality of water. Future studies should be conducted in the studied region to assess the detailed profile of pollutants in water and their widespread sources and to undertake necessary interventions.
