DRINKING WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF PUBLIC PRIMARY SCHOOLS OF RURAL PUNJAB, PAKISTAN
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Date
0024-01-18
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Kinnaird Collehe Enviornmental Science Department
Abstract
The compromised drinking water quality in primary schools can lead to various health issues,
particularly among children, as they are more vulnerable to the harmful effects of contaminants.
It can also impact their attendance, concentration, and overall well-being. Thus, the present
study was conducted to assess the physiochemical and microbial drinking water quality, using
standard methods, among 274 primary schools of rural Punjab, Pakistan. A total number of 18
cities were selected for sampling purpose and results were compared with World Health
Organization (WHO) standards. Results showed that EC (14.60%), TDS (10.95%), DO Total
hardness (16.06%), Cl (29.56%), F (12.04%), Nitrate (16.42%), Cr (7.30%), Ni (8.39%), and
As (10.95%) exceeded WHO recommended range. MPN method was used to test
microbiological contamination in drinking water samples. Results showed that 36% of samples
were bacteriologically contaminated with Total coliforms. Drinking Water Quality Index
(DWQI) revealed, 38%, 41%, 16%, 4% and 1% of the water samples to be categorized as good
water, fair water, poor water, very poor and unsuitable for drinking respectively, thus making
overall water quality not suitable for drinking purposes. Health risk assessment of suggests HQ
indices for Pb and Ni in all the samples was <1, which imparting no potential adverse health
effect to the study population. Some samples had shown HQ>1 for Cr, As and F. All the
samples of Pb had cancer risk <E-04, however, in some samples Cr, Ni and As cancer risk was
>E-04. Pearson correlation matrix showed statistically significant relationships (p<0.01)
between various physiochemical parameters. Health risk survery from parents found that
majority of the respondents had knowledge about water borne diseases and were suffering from
Hepatitis A (12.7%), Kidney problems (13%), Diarrhoea/Vomiting (26%), Abdominal pain
(25%), tiredness (33.3) and Dysentery (4.8) etc. Contingent valuation method (CVM) was used
for determining Willingness to pay (WTP) for drinking water quality which was found to be
PKR. 974.69, This amounts can make a difference in water quality. ANOVA, Chi square,
Crammers V and linear regression test, with a p-value <0.05, revealed that income and
education level significantly affected the willingness to pay for improved drinking water.
Hence, authorities should regularly monitor the drinking water quality in public primary
schools to ensure a safe and healthy learning environment for the students and staff