Abstract
This paper reviews water quality parameters and their health effects on humans with the objective of enlightening the public on drinking water guidelines, the focal point and protection measures. It is also intended to help evade the health catastrophe that manifests as a result of ingesting water containing substances in excess concentration of recommended limits. Sources of water are reviewed, including rain water, surface water and groundwater. The presence and level of the biological, physical and chemical constituents referred to as water parameters which determine its suitability for drinking were also reviewed. Biological parameters are microorganisms, while physico-chemical parameters include temperature, color, dissolved solids, cations, etc. Drinking water quality standards as well as the health impacts of water quality parameters were discussed. Some of the health impacts include water borne diseases, organ failures, cancer, neurological damage, etc. The paper concludes that microorganisms and chemical constituents in drinking water sources and supply can directly or indirectly impair the use of the water for human consumption. Recommendations were made including the disinfection of drinking water sources to prevent growth of disease causing organisms, hand washing to prevent infections including Covid 19 virus and laboratory assessment of water quality parameters to ascertain their conformity with drinking water standards.
Highlights
Drinking water is one of the most essential, inevitable and indispensable natural resources needed for life existence and man’s survival (Subramani et al, 2005, Nwankwoala et al, 2012)
The physicochemical properties are made up of parameters such as, temperature, colour, odour, suspended solids, dissolved solids, bicarbonates, chlorides, sodium, nitrates, sulphates, calcium, magnesium, potassium, etc. These substances are naturally found in drinking water sources in amount that may or may not be detrimental to human health especially when consumed without proper treatment
The aim of this paper is to review water characteristics and its quality with the objectives of outlining the implications associated with water quality parameters in excess of the recommended range on human health
Summary
Drinking water is one of the most essential, inevitable and indispensable natural resources needed for life existence and man’s survival (Subramani et al, 2005, Nwankwoala et al, 2012). The physicochemical properties are made up of parameters such as, temperature, colour, odour, suspended solids, dissolved solids, bicarbonates, chlorides, sodium, nitrates, sulphates, calcium, magnesium, potassium, etc These substances are naturally found in drinking water sources in amount that may or may not be detrimental to human health especially when consumed without proper treatment. Helminths Helminths can be called parasitic worms which involve two or more hosts, e.g., human, aquatic species such as snail or insects and they pose their own hazards on individuals that had contact with untreated or contaminated water ( Peavy et al, 1985) These micro-organisms and many more such as rotifiers and crustaceans (e.g., crabs, lobsters etc,.) signify the bacteriological contamination of a water source and the presence of disease-causing organisms often referred to as pathogenic organisms. Coloured water is generally not accepted by people and is unsuitable for industrial uses and drinking
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