Pollution Research Paper

MAPPING DRINKING WATER QUALITY IN WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM TO HEALTH EFFECTS : A CASE STUDY

J. VINITHA JUDITH, R. REVATHY, V. HABEEBA, MOUMITA PODDAR, A.N. BRIJESH NAIR, S. SHANTHAKUMAR, DEEPA MADATHIL, PUNDLIK RAMBHAU BHAGAT AND A. RAMANAN

Abstract

In the present study, the quality of drinking water in the water distribution network has been investigated at three different locations in Vellore city, India, by analyzing water samples for its various physicochemical and biological characteristics, and a survey has been conducted to relate the quality of drinking water and the health of the residents. The obtained results were compared with the permissible limits prescribed by World health organization (WHO) and Bureau of Indian standards (BIS). The obtained results reveal that total dissolved solids, turbidity and microbial concentrations are above the permissible limits in few cases and above the desirable limit in most cases. It was also observed that the contamination in drinking water increased along the water distribution system. Furthermore, the survey conducted among the residents in the study area indicate that at 95% confidence level the occurrence of diarrhoea, typhoid and cholera by drinking water were significant. Based on the investigation results, it is evident that the drinking water from water distribution system affects public health.