Physico-chemical and microbial analysis of tap water of Allahabad region

Author(s): Ani Khare*, Lall E. P., Ram Bharose, Umesh Kumar

Abstract

Contamination of the ground water and surface water with heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants and urban effluent is a cosmopolitan problem creating adverse effect on human health. World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that 80% of all diseases are in some way or the others are related to the contamination of water. Globally 2.6 billion people on this planet rely on unsafe drinking water. The water which is colorless, odorless, free from pathogenic organism, pH in the range of 6.5-8.5 is commonly called potable water. Serious concerns are being raised on issues related to human, animal and environmental health impact of water pollution. A sizeable percentage of rural population in India suffers from water borne diseases such as diarrhea, amoebiasis, typhoid and infective hepatitis. Contamination of ground and surface water is the main cause of these diseases. With this background, this paper exposes the present water quality in Allahabad district. Water samples were collected from five different sites, each located at a distance of approximately 10 kms away from each other. Analysis of physico-chemical and bacteriological parameters were carried out. Comparison of parameters analysis with Indian Standard Institute (ISI), Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) revealed that the potable water is moderately contaminated at all the sites. Total hardness, total solids and alkalinity have been found in excess of I.S.I., B.I.S., and C.P.C.B. recommended guideline values. This can be deleterious to the health of people and thus corrective measures are necessary to safeguard public health.

Share this article

International Journal of Bioassays is a member of the Publishers International Linking Association, Inc. (PILA), CROSSREF and CROSSMARK (USA). Digital Object Identifier (DOI) will be assigned to all its published content.