Assessment of drinking water quality in government schools in Virudhunagar District, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

Objective: The main objective of this study is to assess the quality of drinking water in hysical, chemical and bacterial aspects in government schools of Virudhunagar district, Tamil Nadu, India. Methods: The water samples appearance, colour, odour, turbidity, total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity, pH, total alkalinity, total hardness, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, iron, nitrate, chloride, fluoride, sulfate, phosphate and coliform bacteria were analysed using standard methods used by American Public Health Association and compared with standards of World Health Organization. Results: Of the 20 physico-chemical and microbiological parameters studied only three parameters which include a physical total dissolved solids 1148mg/l and two chemical parameters total hardness 558mg/l and chloride 366mg/l of school no.3 were above the guideline value of WHO. Conclusion: To recapitulate, in addition, these three parameters were based on taste consideration rather than health. There is no coliform bacteria were found in the drinking water. All the seven drinking water sampled at the government schools were safe during the study. Continuous monitoring of drinking water in all the schools is proposed to avoid undesirable water borne diseases and maintaining students’ health.