Safety assessment of water purification plants of Lahore

Abstract

Water purification plants play an important role in human health and the environment. The Water Purification Plants of Lahore provide an adequate assessment of water to fulfill the needs of drinking water human beings. The current study was conducted to check the quality of drinking water of plants by checking the biological, physical, and chemical properties of different areas of Lahore City. Water samples were analyzed with some metal contents in the samples by using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Safety assessment of water purification plants covered the inspection survey of those plants installed in three zones of Lahore. A total number of 30 samples were collected from three zones (urban, suburban, and old areas) of Lahore with 10 samples each from a single zone. All water samples of suburban & urban regions were having electrical conductivities more than the permissible limit. The water samples of five suburban areas were high TDS values. All water samples of urban areas and old cities had normal turbidity values except for two locations. Water samples of six urban areas had a total hardness of more than the acceptable limit (66-125 ppm). Waters of five areas had an extremely low value of iron (0.005 - 0.092 mg/l). Various blocks from Model town were having extremely low values of iron (0.002 - 0.094 mg/l). Seven regions of old city areas had low values of iron (0.004 - 0.078 mg/l). Water samples of old city, suburban and urban areas were having allowed levels of manganese. Five regions from suburban areas had total coliform counts greater than 20 per 100 ml. All samples from urban areas had exceeding total coliform counts except in two blocks. Five regions from suburban areas had total coliform counts greater than 20 per 100 ml. The majority of residents reported typhoid followed by diarrhea, hepatitis, and gastroenteritis during the last three years. Many water purification plants had defective taps, seals, and drainage channels. Many were surrounded by garbage and dirty floors. To avoid waterborne infections, it is critical to maintain adequate hygiene and maintenance for local water purification facilities without changing the chemical composition and nutritional levels of drinking water.