Spatio-temporal variability of public water supply characteristics and associated health hazards for children and adults in selected locations of Ambala, India.

Abstract

The contamination of public water supply and groundwater resources is a major concern in many parts of developing nations. Polluted water poses serious health risks to humans and the environment. This research was conducted to investigate the seasonal variations of the water quality parameters in the public water supply. To assess the supply water quality in different blocks of Ambala District, hydro-chemical analysis was conducted after a series of systematic sampling in various locations. The statistical tools for water quality indexing including water quality indexing (WQI), heavy metal pollution indexing (HMPI), pollution indexing (PI), overall pollution indexing (OPI), metal indexing (MI), and hazard indexing (HI) were used for data as well as the health hazard analysis through water pathway. Overall, 40 water samples were taken from the public water supply systems covering winter and summer seasons, and the levels of pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), EC, F- , Cl- , NO3 - , SO4 2- , HCO3 - , As, B, Cd, Co, Pb, Zn, Cr, Fe, and Mn were investigated. The weight arithmetic index method was used for WQI, and water pollution indices such as HMPI, PI, OPI, and MI were calculated using different models to check the severity of contamination. The mean hazard quotient and hazard index values calculated using the concentration levels of As, B, Cd, Co, Pb, Cr, Fe, Mn, Zn, F- , and NO3 - reveal that supply water may pose a significant health risk to both adults and children that further varies with temporal and spatial changes. During both seasons, a high carcinogenic risk for both adults and children was observed in the studied area because of high levels of As, Pb, Cd, and NO3 - . PRACTITIONER POINTS: The quality of public supply water was assessed at the selected sites of Ambala, India. High levels of NO3 - , As, Cd, and Pb were observed posing a health risk to adults and children via water pathway. 95% of the samples qualified for the excellent water quality category with respect to the levels of F- , Cl- , NO3 - , SO4 2- , HCO3 - , pH, EC, and TDS. Statistical analysis (HMPI, PI, MI, OPI, HI) using different models revealed water contamination with reference to the levels of NO3 - , As, Pb, Cr, Ni, and Cd. Immediate measures are needed to uphold the safety and health of the natives.