Investigation of Water Quality in Aizawl City, Mizoram, India

Abstract

Water derived from various sources may differ greatly in quality and suitability for domestic use. Ideally, water intended for human consumption must be free from organisms and from concentration of chemical substances that may be hazardous to health. In addition, supplies of drinking water should be as pleasant to drink as circumstances permit. Coolness, absence of turbidity and colour and absence of any disagreeable taste or smell are of the utmost importance in public supplies of drinking water. Drinking water or potable water is water of sufficiently high quality that it can be consumed or used without risk of immediate or long-term harm to human health. Water samples from different water sources were collected for testing the quality. Fifteen samples each from tuikhur and hand pumps, one sample each from River Tlawng and Serlui, one sample each from three springs located outside the residential area from where water tankers collect water, five samples of rainwater, and five samples from piped water supply. All together forty-five water samples were collected and tested for physical, chemical and bacteriological parameters.