Assessing Drinking Water Quality in Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

Access to safe drinking water is crucial for healthy human life. Our study aimed to investigate the concentration of various pollutants in water samples collected from student hostels of the University of the Punjab in Lahore, Pakistan, and the potential risk of these pollutants for health. A total of 18 samples from 12 different locations were assessed for physical, biological, and chemical contaminants using standard methods. The concentrations of arsenic (As) and coliform bacteria were above the international standards given by the World Health Organization (WHO). The range of As concentration was from 24.92 to 32.72 gL -1 . Similarly, the two water samples showed bacterial contamination 38 MPN/100 mL and 21 MPN/100 mL -exceeding the standard value set by WHO (0 MPN/100 mL). We conclude that drinking water quality was poor, as is evident from the high concentration of As. Urgent measures are required to prevent such contamination and regular monitoring of drinking water quality in the study area.