Assessment of drinking water quality in Narangi and surrounding areas of district Swabi, Pakistan
Keywords:
Drinking water quality; Heavy metals; Health hazard; Swabi; PakistanAbstract
Contaminated drinking water is the main cause of many health problems in different regions of the world and is responsible for serious diseases such as nervous system damages, kidney failure and stomach cancer. This study was conducted to investigate the quality of drinking water sources present in Narangi and its surrounding areas (Permooli, Merali and Sherdarra). Water samples were collected from different sources (dug wells, tube wells, hand pumps and springs) in the study area and analyzed for physico-chemical parameters and toxic metal concentrations. Physical parameters such as pH, Electric conductivity, total dissolved salts turbidity, and temperature were determined with the help of electro-chemical analyzer on the spot, while anions including nitrate, nitrite, sulfate, phosphate and chloride were determined using spectrophotometer HACH (DR2800). Heavy metals such as copper (Cu), Nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe) were determined using atomic absorption Perkin Elmer (AAnalyst-700). Among the toxic metals Pb was found above the WHO permissible limits, while in physic-chemical parameters nitrite was found above the WHO standard. It is concluded that drinking water of Narangi and its surrounding areas could pose potential health risk due to Pb and NO3 presence. We strongly recommend further detail study for drinking water sources in the adjacent areas as well as the installation of water treatment plants in the Naranji area to protect the local population from serious health hazards.
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