Physio-Chemical Analysis of Drinking Water in Populated Villages of District Skardu

Abstract

Objective The purpose of this study was to establish whether the water used by inhabitants of the five surrounding village communities of Kachura, Qomra, Kwardu, Hoto, and Gamba in the district of Skardu Gilgit-Baltistan is portable or not for human consumption. Skardu is located at 35°17’25”N 75°38’40”E, with an elevation of 2,228 meters above sea level in Northeastern Pakistan. Methods Three water samples were collected from each of the 5 villages in the district. Total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), total solids (TS), total hardness (TH), calcium, magnesium, total alkalinity (TA), chloride, nitrate, conductivity, sodium, and potassium were determined using established chemical analysis techniques, according to recommended World Health Organization (WHO) standards. Results The findings showed that water samples had not been treated before being consumed by people. Variations between the communities were found when the parameters were analyzed. TSS ranged from 11 to 44 mg/L; total solids ranged from 94 to 392 mg/L; and TDS ranged from 82 to 348 mg/L. Calcium varied from 72 to 232 mg/L, magnesium ranged from 16 to 88 mg/L, and total hardness ranged from 88 to 320 mg/L. Chloride levels ranged from 8 to 12 mg/L, total alkalinity was between 72 and 248 mg/L, and nitrate levels were within acceptable bounds. Water conductivity varied between 139 and 612 S/cm. While potassium ranged from 49 to 147 mg/mL, sodium ranged from 33 to 118 mg/mL. Notably, the water samples from Kwardu, Hoto, Gamba, and Kachura had potassium levels that were higher than allowed. Only three of the samples taken from the village of Qomrah were within acceptable ranges. Conclusion According to the study’s findings, water samples from the Skardu district were not treated before being consumed by people. The high potassium content in drinking water increases the risk of hyperkalemia and can cause serious health issues, especially in people with kidney, cardiac, and diabetes conditions. Consequently, it is recommended to use reverse osmosis (RO) to remove excess potassium from water. Also, it is advised to boil drinking water before consuming to kill microbes. To reduce potential health hazards connected with drinking untreated water, it is essential to increase the local residents’ awareness of waterborne issues.