Spring Water Quality and Human Health: An Assessment of Natural Springs of Margalla Hills Islamabad Zone-III

Abstract

All life forms especially humans depend on their surrounding biophysical environment for their well-being and survival but due to overuse of these resources, environment has been degrading rapidly. Among these fundamental resources, water is one of the most important natural resource for humans, wildlife and the whole environment. Assessment of ambient water quality determines its use for humans and ecological purposes [1,2]. Anthropogenic activities make the surface and ground water highly polluted [3] owing to the fact that surface water is extensively being used in industrial activities, agriculture sector, domestic and municipal facilities. As clean water is highly demanded, it can be derived from various sources but unfortunately, surface waters most often have threat of begin polluted and their low quality status leads to public health issues [4]. Water can be derived from many natural sources e.g. surface waters, streams, rivers, lakes and springs and it seems to be the best source for drinking and domestic water use for the population residing the surrounding area. Although, water is an essential component of life but it contains many undesirable substances in the polluted state which are highly dangerous to human health [5]. Entering of these undesirable substances into food chain causes serious health hazards all over the world. Developing countries of Asia especially Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and other neighboring countries are facing serious health problems due to contaminated water [4,6]. So there is a dire need of valuation of the drinking water in order to assess its safety for human consumption. As compared to developed countries, in developing countries i.e. Pakistan legislation for water resource management is weak and less work has been conducted on the issue of water contamination [7]. Rules and regulations regarding water quality in Pakistan has been set by Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA), known as National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) which give the standards of water pollution. Through these standards, water quality is monitored at domestic and industrial level [8] but still there is need of improvement in legislature structure regarding environmental quality standards with special concern of water in Pakistan. For better human health, it is extremely important to establish drinking water quality standards and criteria that are chemically balanced and medically safe. Water quality assessment is obtained chiefly by monitoring of physical, chemical and biological parameters [9,10]. Many natural springs originate from hilly areas of Murree and Margalla in Pakistan. Water of these springs make its route downward and is utilized by the local people as it passes from residential area. Keeping in view the use of these springs’ water for daily consumption by the surrounding population, it is crucial to assess its quality. For this purpose, samples from different locations were collected for the assessment of specific parameters necessary for drinking water. Physicochemical parameters including color, temperature, pH, odour, turbidity, hardness, total dissolve solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), alkalinity, dissolved oxygen (DO), chlorides (Cl ̅), nitrite (NO2 ̅), nitrate (NO3 ̅), sulphate (SO4) heavy metals and microbiological parameters including total Coliform, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus and Staphylococcus auerus were selected to assess the springs’ water quality for drinking purposes. The main focus of the study was to: Volume 2 Issue 1 2018