American-Eurasian J. Agric. & Environ. Sci., 15 (5): 896-902, 2015 ISSN 1818-6769 © IDOSI Publications, 2015 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.aejaes.2015.15.5.12658

Physico-Chemical and Bacteriological Characteristics of Drinking Water of Malir Town, Karachi, Pakistan Aamir Alamgir, Moazzam Ali Khan, Syed Shahid Shaukat, Omm-e-Hany, Furqan ullah, Mohammad Raheel Khan Abbasi, Sarang Memon and Arshad Hussain Institute of Environmental studies, University of Karachi, Karachi-75270, Pakistan Abstract: This cross sectional study investigates the physico-chemical and public health profile of drinking water of Malir town, Karachi. In general, the town is characterized by low socio economic profile out of 18 towns of the mega city, Karachi. The public amenity services are relatively poor including water supply and sanitation which has exposed to the local population with a number of deadly diseases. The water samples were collected from different locations within the town so as to determine their public health quality. The quality of water was examined for pH, turbidity, total suspended solids, total dissolved solids, turbidity, chloride, hardness, sulphate and alkalinity. In addition the analysis of metals was also performed that includes Na, K, Ca and Mg. Most Probable Number Technique (MPN) was employed for the detection of microorganisms of public health importance. The physico- chemical quality of drinking water was relatively good from the health view point. However, water from all the samples failed to meet WHO guidelines for the bacteriological quality of drinking water. It was alarming to notice that none of the sample contained residual chlorine. This would mean that the water supply available to the consumers is grossly polluted with the organisms of public health importance mainly due to the faulty and obsolete distribution network that requires immediate attention from the concerned government section. Key words: Public health

Water quality

Malir Town

INTRODUCTION

Research in Water Resources (PCRWR, 2005-2006) more than 80% of water supplies in the country have water quality below the recommended standards for human consumption [5]. Improper disposal of solid waste, untreated wastewater and too much use of fertilizers are the main causes of water contamination [6]. Karachi is the biggest and most populated city of Pakistan. Because of low economic prosperity it is difficult to provide 100% safe water to the population [7]. The drinking water supply in Karachi city is mostly obtained through the municipal tap water and local ground water [8]. In Karachi, unavailability and shortage of water is an important issue, the main reason for the water shortage in city is its losses due to a number of factors like leakage of pipes. In Karachi city, out of hundreds of samples of water no one was found safe for drinking purposes [9]. Malir town lies between 24°45' to 25° 37' north latitudes and 67° 06' to 67° 34' east longitudes and is bounded on the north by Dadu district, on the south by Thatta district and Arabian sea, on the east by Dadu and

Water is the key to sustainability and economic prosperity of a community. It has an essential role in ecological and social cycle. Water demand has increased substantially mainly because of exponential increase in human population and advancement in technology. Water crises are now becoming enormous in the current face of climate change. Even if putting all efforts approximately one billion people of the developing world do not have access to safe and clean water [1]. Infant mortality rate is also higher due to consumption of contaminated water. According to UNICEF (2006) that 11% of child mortality is directly related to unsafe water and poor sanitation particularly in developing countries including Pakistan [2]. Waterborne diseases are the common cause of death and suffering of millions of people worldwide [3]. In Pakistan about 44 % of the population do not have access to safe drinking water whereas 90 % of the population lack such access in rural areas [4]. According to Pakistan Council of

Corresponding Author: Aamir Alamgir, Institute of Environmental studies, University of Karachi, Karachi-75270, Pakistan.

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Am-Euras. J. Agric. & Environ. Sci., 15 (5): 896-902, 2015

Physico-Chemical Parameters: Water samples were analyzed for pH, turbidity, Total suspended solids (TSS), total dissolved solids (TDS). The pH and turbidity were measured on site. pH was by determined by Hanna portable pH meter (HI98107), while turbidity was determined by EUTECH meter, Model No. TN-100. TDS and TSS were ascertained by gravimetric method as given in APHA (2005) [11]. Chloride (Argentometric method), hardness as CaCO 3 (EDTA titrimetric method), sulphate (gravimetric method) and alkalinity were determined by the methods prescribed in Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater [11]. Sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium were determined using flame photometry as described in APHA (2005) [11]. Residual chlorine in the samples was determined through Merck kits.

Thatta districts and on the west by Karachi south. The total area of Malir is 2,268 square kilometers and the urban population of the Malir is 6,60,000 which constitutes 67.30 % of its total population [10]. Out of 18 towns of mega city Karachi, Malir town is generally considered to have low socio economic status. The aim of the study is to evaluate the public health quality of drinking water in Malir Town that is own of the most populous town in Karachi having a very low socioeconomic profile. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sampling: Tap water samples were collected from forty two pre designated sites from Malir Town during August to October in 2014 and are presented in Fig 1. The water samples were collected in two liters pre-sterilized glass bottles. The bottle was carefully filled to avoid trapping air bubbles. The samples were sealed having specific codes, labeled and transported to the Institute of Environmental Studies laboratory in refrigerated condition.

Microbial Analysis: The microbiological examination of water samples was assessed for Total aerobic count (TAC), total coliforms count (TCC), total Fecal coliforms (FC) and total Fecal Streptococci (FS). The samples were processed in a laminar flow hood using sterilized culture

M-1=240 53’ 22.83’’N,670 10’ 43.42’’E; M-2=240 53’ 38.83’’N,67 0 10’ 37.76’’E; M-3=24 0 53’ 57.97’’N, 67 0 10’ 50.057’’E; M- 4=24 0 54’ 12.15’’N, 670 10’ 55.16’’E; M-5=240 54’ 38.30’’N, 670 11’ 08.58’’E; M-6=240 54’ 43.54’’N, 67 0 11’ 55.04’’E; M-6=24 0 54’ 43.54’’N, 67 0 11’ 55.04’’E; M-7=24 0 54’ 37.94’’N, 670 11’ 37.27’’E; M-8=240 54’ 08.29’’N, 670 11’ 25.19’’E; M-9=24 0 54’ 05.90’’N, 67 0 11’ 50.95’’E; M-10=24 0 54’ 01.29’’N, 67 0 11’ 57.36’’E; M-11=240 54’ 10.29’’N, 670 12’ 22.35’’E; M-12=240 54’ 12.03’’N, 670 12’ 28.68’’E; M-13=24 0 54’ 22.80’’N, 67 0 12’ 28.68’’E; M-14=24 0 54’ 33.04’’N, 670 13’ 00.35’’E; M-15=240 54’ 35.65’’N, 670 13’ 12.58’’E; M-16=240 54’ 34.23’’N, 67 0 13’ 26.18’’E; M-17=24 0 54’ 21.79’’N, 67 0 13’ 07.83’’E; M-18=240 53’ 58.03’’N, 670 12’ 14.14’’E; M-19=240 53’ 42.61’’N, 670 12’ 07.50’’E; M-20=24 0 53’ 38.66’’N, 67 0 11’ 52.76’’E; M21=240 53’ 27.57’’N, 670 12’ 07.23’’E; M-22=240 53’ 05.50’’N, 670 11’ 56.33’’E; M-23=24 0 52’ 51.82’’N, 67 0 12’ 12.51’’E; M-24=24 0 52’ 50.88’’N, 670 11’ 55.55’’E; M-25= 240 52’ 59.30’’N, 670 11’ 32.92’’E; M-26=240 52’ 45.33’’N, 670 11’ 22.41’’E; M-27=24 0 52’ 43.08’’N, 67 0 10’ 41.30’’E; M-28=240 52’ 28.25’’N, 670 10’ 51.15’’E; M-29=240 52’ 26.95’’N, 670 10’ 18.47’’E; M-30=24 0 52’ 42.59’’N, 67 0 10’ 49.70’’E; M-31=24 0 52’ 54.84’’N, 670 10’ 50.43’’E; M-32=240 52’ 51.34’’N, 670 10’ 22.27’’E; M-33=240 52’ 51.34’’N, 670 10’ 22.27’’E; M-34=24 0 52’ 46.72’’N, 67 0 10’ 16.20’’E; M-35=240 52’ 51.17’’N, 670 10’ 54.60’’E; M-36=240 53’ 32.31’’N, 670 11’ 17.18’’E; M-37=24 0 53’ 42.06’’N, 67 0 11’ 28.74’’E; M-38=24 0 53’ 46.73’’N, 670 11’ 10.57’’E; M-39=240 53’ 29.46’’N, 670 10’ 25.88’’E; M-40=240 53’ 25.36’’N, 67 0 10’ 44.04’’E; M-41=24 0 53’ 07.05’’N, 67 0 10’ 29.57’’E; M-42=240 52’ 53.36’’N, 670 10’ 20.89’’E

Fig. 1: Map of sampling sites of Malir Town, Karachi. 897

Am-Euras. J. Agric. & Environ. Sci., 15 (5): 896-902, 2015

media. The bacterial load of water samples was estimated by Most Probable Number (MPN) technique as per Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater [11].

Turbid water in fact depreciates water quality from consumer view point. Turbidity level according to the WHO guidelines and NSDWQ should not exceed 5 NTU for drinking water. The turbidity values of the samples are well within the permissible limits (0.11 to 0.91 NTU). Turbidity in water mainly results from the presence of fine suspended and colloidal particles. Turbidity level is an imperative consideration for the effective planning and functioning of the treatment processes and also an indicator of water quality changes. Turbid water often indicates presence of microorganism responsible for causing health risks [14]. TSS concentration of all the samples ranged from 72 (M-7) to 182 mg/l. No health based guideline for TSS is available. SS are mostly organic in nature which serves as a source of food for the growth and multiplication of microorganisms. Ideally the drinking water should not contain suspended solids owing to the fact that suspended solids can cause human health problems and also detrimental to and aquatic life forms [15]. High TSS value also responsible for increase in surface water temperature as suspended particles absorbed heat [16]. Total dissolved solids in water represent the amount of inorganic substances that originates from natural sources, sewage, industrial waste and other chemicals. High amount of dissolved, suspended and total solids depreciates palatability of water rendering it unsuitable for drinking purpose. TDS value of the samples ranged between 295 (M-42)to 709 (M-16) mg/l. The recommended guideline for TDS as reported by WHO (1984) [17] and NSDWQ is 500 mg/l.

Statistical Analysis: The data was statistically analyzed using STATISTICA (99 Edition) software. Descriptive statistics including mean, median, minimum, maximum, quartile range, standard deviation and standard error were computed for each of the variables. Principal component analysis was applied on the normalized data sets of physical, chemical and microbiological characteristics of tap water of different sites of Malir Town. Cluster analysis and principal component analysis were performed using the appropriate software mentioned above. For cluster analysis Wards method was employed. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Physico-Chemical Profile: The physico-chemical profile of the study area is given in Table 1. The pH value of all the samples ranged between 6.9 (M-41) to 7.6 (M-9) with the mean value of 7.25 as can be seen from Table 1. According to WHO (1985), safe drinking water pH value should be in the ranged between 6.5 to 8.5 [12]. The pH values in all samples met the WHO guidelines as well as NSDWQ. Water with pH above 11 and below 4, is responsible for skin, eye irritation and corrosive effects respectively. WHO warns that extreme pH levels can worsen existing skin conditions [13].

Table 1: Descriptive statistics of physical, chemical and microbiological analysis of drinking water of Malir Town, Karachi Parameters

Mean

Median

Min.

Max.

Quartile Range

Standard Deviation

Standard Error

*NSDWQ Standards

WHO guidelines

pH Turbidity/NTU TSS (mg/l) TDS (mg/l) Calcium (mg/l) Magnesium(mg/l) Sodium (mg/l) Potassium (mg/l) Chloride (mg/l) Hardness (mg/l) Sulphate (mg/l) Alkalinity (mg/l) TAC MPN/100ml TCC MPN/100ml FC MPN/100ml FS MPN/100ml

7.25 0.50 128.17 584.17 53.85 113.83 32.27 5.01 123.58 167.31 293.19 114.93 2400 2214.28 1684.64 751.3

7.30 0.47 132.5 607 51 112.25 33 5 120.5 165 292.5 114 2400 2400 2400 1100

6.90 0.11 72 295 35 62 19 4 100.7 121 227 90 2400 1100 3 3

7.60 0.91 182 709 76.5 179 46.2 6.5 167 232 361 136 2400 2400 2400 1100

0.20 0.47 58 98.1 23.80 29.5 6.9 0.80 25 25 59 18 0 0 1300 640

0.16 0.25 32.05 77.97 13.38 25.85 5.84 0.58 17.31 23.82 36.05 11.74 0 459 880.1 457.7

0.02 0.04 4.95 12.03 2.06 3.99 0.90 0.09 2.67 3.68 5.56 1.81 0 61.33 117.6 61.17

6.5 – 8.5 < 5 NTU N/A < 1000 N/A N/A N/A N/A