Abstract:
In this study, physicochemical and microbial characterizations of water samples collected from union council Dewan Gorah, AJK Pakistan were studied. Sampling was done three times at fifteen different locations, which are source of drinking water for residents of this area. Samples were collected in sterilized glass bottles for analysis. The physiochemical parameters include pH, TDS, E.C, Na+, Cl-, COD, fluoride and Arsenic by standard methods. Heavy metals including Pb, Cu, Cr, Fe and Ni were evaluated by Atomic absorption spectroscopy. Water samples were analyzed bacteriologically for total viable count and total coli form counts by heterotrophic plate count methods. Bacterial colonies isolated from water samples were characterized by gram staining, catalase test, oxidase test and citrate utilization test of biochemical tests. Results showed that various parameters such as pH, increase in concentration of Pb and Cr was above the permissible limits of WHO at all fifteen locations. Human health risk assessment showed that heavy metals do not pose threat to population TDS, E.C, Na+, Cl-, COD and fluoride heavy metals including Arsenic, Cu, Fe were found to be within permissible limits prescribed by World Health Organization (WHO). The result for Electric Conductivity of sample 11 is at maximum level of 97 but remained within permissible limits of WHO. Human health risk assessment showed that heavy metals do not pose threat to population at present level. Microbial analysis showed that water samples contain microbial counts of different pathogenic bacteria like E.coli, Salmolella spp. and shigella spp. The quality and quantity of drinking water of Dewan Gorah must be monitored by any source regulatory authorities. The government as well as public participation is needed to remediate and solve the problem.
