Biological, Physicochemical and heavy metal analysis of Drinking Water of Ghouri and Burma Towns, Islamabad, Pakistan (T-1317) (MFN 6249)

Abstract

This study was accompanied by Ghouri and Burma Town (33.624451, 73.124355) (33.644207, 73.123840) of Islamabad Pakistan. The study mainly focused on the examination of biological and physicochemical parameters as well as heavy metals in surface and groundwater of these towns and its nearby areas and to generate the vulnerability maps and health assessment of the study area. For this purpose research samples were collected from three water sources including tube wells, bore wells and natural drains. Physiochemical and heavy metal concentrations were measured by standard operating procedures. Biological analysis showed that all samples were free from serious biological contamination. Physiochemical parameters analysis showed that most of the results were within permissible limits of WHO and Pak-EPA. Except some of the locations of both surface and groundwater, where there are increased levels of physiochemical parameters such as pH, TDS, K+ and F-. In the same water samples, heavy metals concentration was also evaluated. After analysis, it was noticed that some of the metals such as Zn, Cr, Cd, Pb, and Ni were having elevated concentrations. The heavy metals like Cr, Pb, Ni were found above the standard range of WHO in the shallow water sources with fewer depths. Whilst the other metals such as Zn, Mn were found under the permissible range. The element Zn showed some variation in values in groundwater samples. The concentration of As was found to be in standard range except for stream water. To provide clean water it is recommended that industrial effluents should be treated before disposing of into the surrounding environment.