Water Quality Index for measuring drinking water quality in rural Bangladesh: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundPublic health is at risk due to chemical contaminants in drinking water which may have immediate health consequences. Drinking water sources are susceptible to pollutants depending on geological conditions and agricultural, industrial, and other man-made activities. Ensuring the safety of drinking water is, therefore, a growing problem. To assess drinking water quality, we measured multiple chemical parameters in drinking water samples from across Bangladesh with the aim of improving public health interventions.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study conducted in 24 randomly selected upazilas, arsenic was measured in drinking water in the field using an arsenic testing kit and a sub-sample was validated in the laboratory. Water samples were collected to test water pH in the laboratory as well as a sub-sample of collected drinking water was tested for water pH using a portable pH meter. For laboratory testing of other chemical parameters, iron, manganese, and salinity, drinking water samples were collected from 12 out of 24 upazilas.ResultsDrinking water at sample sites was slightly alkaline (pH 7.4 ± 0.4) but within acceptable limits. Manganese concentrations varied from 0.1 to 5.5 mg/L with a median value of 0.2 mg/L. The median iron concentrations in water exceeded WHO standards (0.3 mg/L) at most of the sample sites and exceeded Bangladesh standards (1.0 mg/L) at a few sample sites. Salinity was relatively higher in coastal districts. After laboratory confirmation, arsenic concentrations were found higher in Shibchar (Madaripur) and Alfadanga (Faridpur) compared to other sample sites exceeding WHO standard (0.01 mg/L). Of the total sampling sites, 33 % had good-quality water for drinking based on the Water Quality Index (WQI). However, the majority of the households (67 %) used poor-quality drinking water.ConclusionsHigher values of iron, manganese, and arsenic reduced drinking water quality. Awareness raising on chemical contents in drinking water at household level is required to improve public health.

Status of drinking water quality and sanitation facilities in Subarnachar and Maijdee in Noakhali, Bangladesh

“…However, there is no objection for salinity but in some cases salinity can vary in the coastal areas due to rainfall, flood and drought etc. (Akter et al, 2016). Between the two areas, the salinity range is high in the urban area than the rural area in drinking water.…”

“…Treatment techniques are applied before or at the point where water enters into the distribution system for elimination of microbial and chemical contaminants. Polluted water can be very dangerous for human health and cases of serious diseases are often caused by various bacteria and viruses (Akter et al, 2016;Dindar, 1996). Metallic pollution of fresh water may take place from large scale discharge of industrial effluents into the rivers, posing potential health hazards (Wahid et al, 2017).…”

Geogenic Arsenic and Microbial Contamination in Drinking Water Sources: Exposure Risks to the Coastal Population in Bangladesh

“…• C for Temp; 0 CFU/100 mL for TC, 0 CFU/100 mL for E. coli and 0 CFU/100 mL for FC (for Coliform Bacteria WHO and BDWS were same) (Singh et al, 2012;Gruber et al, 2014;Hossain et al, 2015;Akter et al, 2016). Yisa and Jimoh (2010) categorized WQI values into five types: excellent (<50), good (50-100), poor (101-200), very poor (201-300), and unsuitable (>300) for drinking.…”

Detection of damage on single- or double-stranded DNA in a population exposed to arsenic in drinking water

“…Mexico have established 25 µg/L, and Bangladesh 5 µg/L (Chowdhury et al, 2000;NOM-127-SSA1-1994;Khalequzzaman et al, 2005). Cancers connected with As in water have been associated with cellular, molecular, and genetic modifications such as repression of DNA repair genes, alteration in gene expression and methylation, micronucleus formation, chromosomal aberrations, polymorphisms, genotoxicity, cytotoxicity, telomere shortening, decreased DNA damage response (DDR), and DNA damage (Murray and Sharmin, 2015;Shibata et al, 2016;Akter et al, 2016). The principal factors regulating DNA damage are diet, alcohol consumption, age, smoking, exercise, and exposure to environmental toxins such as asbestos, heavy metals, radiation (ultraviolet (UV) light, gamma rays), and stress (Gidron et al, 2006).…”