Healthline (Mar 2024)

Assessment of Physicochemical and Microbiological Qualities of Drinking Water in Ahmedabad Slum, India: A Cross-Sectional Study

  • Devang A Raval,
  • Dinesh Rathod ,
  • Ripal Panchal,
  • Jaydeepkumar Ghevariya,
  • Kinner Patel

DOI
https://doi.org/10.51957/Healthline_589_2024
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 15, no. 1
pp. 59 – 65

Abstract

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Introduction: The quality of drinking water is a public health concern, especially in urban slum areas. Drinking water quality and contamination are seriously threatened by the growing slum population and irregular water supply. Objective: To examine the physicochemical and microbiological quality of drinking water in the field practice area of one of the Tertiary-care hospital in Ahmedabad a part of PG teaching activity. Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out for water quality assessment using stratified random sampling. A total of 139 water samples were collected; samples were collected from different households in different areas of the Asarwa ward of Ahmedabad Corporation. From each ASHA worker’s area, according to population of that area, 6 to 10 samples were selected. The samples were analysed using standard methods and compared with WHO and BIS water quality standards. Results: TDS and alkalinity are above permissible levels in 42.4% and 46.7% samples respectively. pH, turbidity, conductivity, total hardness, and magnesium were found altered in a few samples. The mean free residual chlorine was 0.05 mg/L. Microbiological analysis of water samples revealed the presence of coliform in 5 (3.6%) samples. Conclusion: Except for total alkalinity and TDS, most physicochemical parameters of drinking water were acceptable. By storing water, a low level of free residual chlorine can be justified. A few samples (3.6%) with coliform bacteria indicate water contamination somewhere in the distribution system or at the consumer level.

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