AJMR 2015 ARCHIVE

Abstracts

Background: Drinking water quality is the great public health concern because it is a major risk factor for high incidence of diarrhea diseases in Nepal. In the recent years, the prevalence rate of diarrhea has been also found high in Kanchanpur district.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out using a random sampling method inward no. 4, 7 and 18 of Bhim Datta Municipality of Kanchanpur district from July to October 2014. Fifty water samples representing 43 hand pumps and 7 piped/ tap water from the study area were collected. The physico-chemical and microbiological analysis was performed following standard technique set by APHA 1998.

Result: Out of 50 water samples, four percent of water samples showed the total hardness higher than the WHO permissible guideline values. Similarly, 6% of water samples showed higher arsenic value than WHO value, but it was within Nepal Standard. Further, 30% sample showed nitrate, 6% of samples showed iron, ammonia and chloride higher than the WHO guideline value and Nepal Standards. The highest 35 (70%) samples showed exceed the value than WHO Guideline values in drinking water. The microbiological examination of water samples revealed the presence of total coliform in 58% and E. coli in 16% of water samples.

Conclusion: The drinking water quality was poor in both chemical and biological parameter. Hand pump/tube well water were more contaminated than piped/tap water supply. It will be necessary, to find affordable treatment methods for water from hand pump or could provide an adequate supply of safe drinking water.

Keywords: Drinking water, CFU/ml, microbiological, physic-chemical, public health