Drinking Water Quality in Urban Areas of Pakistan: A Case Study of Gujranwala City

Drinking Water Quality in Gujranwala

  • Sajjad Haydar Institute of Environmental Engineering & Research (IEER), University of Engineering & Technology (UET), Lahore, Pakistan
  • Obaidullah Nadeem City and Regional Planning Department, University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore-54890, Pakistan
  • Ghulam Hussain Institute of Environmental Engineering & Research (IEER), University of Engineering & Technology (UET), Lahore, Pakistan
  • Haroon Rashid Institute of Environmental Engineering & Research (IEER), University of Engineering & Technology (UET), Lahore, Pakistan
  • Rashid Majeed Institute of Environmental Engineering & Research (IEER), University of Engineering & Technology (UET), Lahore, Pakistan
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52763/PJSIR.PHYS.SCI.59.3.2016.157.166
Keywords: water quality, physicochemical characteristics, bacteriological characteristics

Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate the drinking water quality of Gujranwala city. Samples were collected from 16 locations including: 4 tube wells, 4 overhead reservoirs (OHR) and 8 house connections. Twelve physicochemical and two bacteriological parameters were tested, before and after monsoon and compared with National Standards for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ). The results demonstrated that most of the physicochemical parameters, except lead, nickle and chromium were within NSDWQ before and after monsoon. Bacteriological and heavy metal contamination was found before and after the monsoon. Possible reasons of contamination are: no disinfection, old and leaking water pipes, poor drainage during
monsoon and possible cross connections between water and sewerage lines. It is recommended to practice disinfection, laying of water and sewerage pipes on opposite sides of streets and periodic water quality monitoring.

Published
2016-10-27
Issue
Vol 59 No 3 (2016): Pakistan Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research Series A: Physical Sciences
Section
Articles