Physico-chemical quality of drinking water and human health: a study of salt range Pakistan

Abstract

The Salt Range a hill system located in the Punjab province of Pakistan is affected by heavy salinity and condition is deteriorating overtime with the use of brackish underground water. Common health problems are hypertension, viral hepatitis due to virus A and E, many types of urinary problems and gastrointestinal tract problems like diarrhea and other abdominal ailments. Present study was designed to evaluate the physico-chemical parameters of drinking water of the Salt Range by taking water samples from different locations of Pind Dadan Khan and Khewra. Each parameter was compared with the standard desirable limit prescribed by WHO. Eight percent water samples showed pH level above the permissible limit while EC and TDS values also crossed the permissible guideline values in 48 and 24 percent samples respectively. The results revealed that 16% sulfates 10% iron content and 30% chlorides were higher than the WHO standards. In 54 percent samples chromium values also crossed the WHO guideline limit. The higher values of certain parameters (when compared with acceptable standard limits for drinking purposes) point towards the salt water intrusion and pollution level in drinking water. Suitable suggestions were made to improve the water quality of salt range.