Assessment of drinking water quality and its potential health impacts in academic institutions of Abbottabad (Pakistan)

The continuously deteriorating water quality situation in Pakistan is posing serious health threats to the population. The study aimed to assess the physicochemical and bacteriological quality of drinking water in different institutions of Abbottabad city and its potential health effects on staff and students. About 63 samples from 60 institutions across different locations of Abbottabad city were analysed for physicochemical (temperature, pH, total dissolved solids (TDS) and electrical conductivity (EC)) and bacteriological (total coliforms and Escherichia coli) analysis using standard methods. Water quality (n = 60) and health related (n = 300) information was obtained through pre-designed survey questionnaires. Results showed that all water samples were aesthetically acceptable. In physicochemical analysis, the mean temperature and pH values were found at 27.12 ± 2.47°C and 7.98 ± 0.24, respectively. The mean TDS and EC values were found at 335.42 ± 86.3 ppm and 647.38 ± 174.82 μS, respectively. Bacteriological analysis showed that THBC in water samples ranged from 10 to 58000 CFU/ml with 63.5% samples exceeding the WHO drinking water quality limits. Results of total coliform analysis showed most-probable-number values ranged between 0 and > 2400 per 100 ml with 42 samples (66.6%) exceeding permissible limits. After isolation, identification of strains was performed by API 20E Identification System. Three pathogenic species namely Citrobacter sakazakii, Enterobacter cloacae and Salmonella choleraesius were identified. Data obtained through questionnaires identified three major sources of drinking water i.e. government supply, bore well and tube well. Most of the secondary level institutions used government supply (54%), higher secondary institutions used bore well (53%) and post secondary institutions used tube wells (44%) to meet their drinking water needs. Bore well was found to be the most widely used source. Majority of institutions i.e. 75% secondary, 47% higher secondary and 39% post secondary consumed water without any prior treatment. Respondents reported diseases in the order of typhoid > diarrhoea > dysentery > hepatitis > abdominal pains > skin infections. Disease prevalence in secondary institutions was found higher as compared to the higher and secondary institutions. Presence of total coliforms in 66.6% of water samples clearly indicates the need of monitoring at regular intervals, effective treatment processes and sound policy recommendations in Abbottabad city.