Permissible Limits Of World Health Organization Research Articles

Assessing Groundwater Level and Water Quality in Bhaktapur Municipality: A Pre-Monsoon and Post-Monsoon Analysis

Groundwater is a crucial natural resource for sustaining human life, agriculture, and ecosystems worldwide. In many Asian countries, including Nepal, groundwater has emerged as a dependable source of water, particularly in areas where surface water is scarce or unreliable. For instance, in Bhaktapur Municipality (BM), Nepal, groundwater has been contributing around 50–60% of the total water supply. However, over the past few years, extensive extraction, alterations in the land use pattern, and other anthropogenic interventions have posed serious threats to this highly valuable resource. As such, groundwater monitoring is an essential primary step for understanding the status of the groundwater resource. Meanwhile, the Water Quality Index (WQI) is an effective tool that can turn complex water quality data into simplified information that is understandable and usable by the public. This study aimed to understand the groundwater levels and further comprehend the groundwater quality using the WQI of the BM. The groundwater level data and water samples were collected from 24 spatially distributed wells of the BM in the post-monsoon of 2021 and the pre- and post-monsoon of 2022. Laboratory analysis was carried out to determine the nine physico-chemical water quality parameters, and the obtained parametric values were compared with those of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Drinking Water Quality Standard (NDWQS). The results show deeper groundwater levels in the core area than the periphery, and the water quality getting poorer from post-monsoon 2021 to post-monsoon 2022. The EC, TDS, pH, phosphate, chloride, and hardness of most of the samples were within the permissible limits of WHO and NDWQS, whereas the turbidity, ammonia, and alkalinity of many samples exceeded the permissible limits. Average WQI revealed that the majority of the samples were unsuitable for drinking and suitable only for household and irrigation purposes. This study provides insights into managing water demands, addressing issues of water scarcity, and highlighting the urgent need for additional research and policymaking to improve drinking water quality and the sustainability of groundwater management in BM.

Evaluation of physico-chemical and heavy metals status in irrigation, stagnant, and Indus River water at the trans-Himalayan region

The water quality of various resources is changing everywhere, including the high-altitude region, which may have adverse health effects on animals and the human population. So far, not much study has been conducted on high-mountain region water resources. Therefore, this study was conducted at Leh-Ladakh, a high-altitude region, to know the water quality of different sources. For this, water samples were collected from irrigation, stagnant (pond), and Indus river water resources and analyzed different physicochemical parameters as per standard methods and heavy metals using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (Optima 7000 DV, Perkin Elmer) at the laboratory. The results revealed that the total mean values of pH (7.58 ± 0.04), electrical conductivity (EC-243.78 ± 18.05 µS/cm), salinity (0.12 ± 0.01%), total dissolved solids (TDS-121.519.75 mg/L), turbidity (1.17 ± 0.22 NTU) and chemical oxygen demand (COD-31.45 ± 0.73 mg/L) of Indus river water, pH (7.43 ± 0.05), EC (231.86 ± 11.00 µS/cm), salinity (0.11 ± 0.01%), TDS (113.31 ± 5.48 mg/L), turbidity (0.85 ± 0.11 NTU) and COD (29.74 ± 0.49 mg/L) of irrigation water, and pH (7.46 ± 0.03), EC (233.14 ± 11.41 µS/cm), salinity (0.12 ± 0.01%), TDS (115.03 ± 5.78 mg/L), turbidity (0.67 ± 0.13 NTU) and COD (29.65 ± 0.57 mg/L) of pond water were within the prescribed limit by World Health Organization (WHO) for drinking water. However, variances in the range of heavy metals were observed in Indus river water, irrigation water, and in stagnant water at different sites. Our results revealed that the As, Cd, and Pb were above the permissible limit of WHO for drinking water. At the same time, the Ni and Cr levels were observed below the maximum permissible limit. Therefore, these water resources, if used for more extended periods, may pose health-related issues to humans and animals from these elements. So, this study finding will help develop specific mitigation strategies for water management for drinking and other purposes.

Assessment of the Quality of Water used for Domestic and Sanitary Purposes in Parts of Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State Nigeria

This study was carried out to assess the impact or effect of industrial activities and refuse dump site on the quality of water used for domestic and sanitary purposes in parts of Port Harcourt metropolis, Rivers State Nigeria. The quality assessment was focused on physiochemical parameters. A total of twenty water samples were collected from twenty locations (randomly selected from industrial and refuse dump site areas) within the study area. Ten major physiochemical parameters which include: potency of hydrogen (PH), salinity, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS), turbidity (NTU), calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), chloride (Cl), sulphate (SO4 2-) and nitrate (NO3 - ) were analyzed. The results obtained were compared with the standards of World Health Organization (WHO), and show that the water samples have PH values between 3.78 and 7.23 which is not within the permissible limit of WHO and thus, indicating that they are acidic and not fit for domestic purposes. Salinity values range between 0.018 and 0.202mg/L indicating that the water is fresh and good for sanitary purpose, electrical conductivity values range between 38.0 and 378.7µΩ/cm, total dissolved solid and turbidity values range from 32.7 to 263.0mg/L and 0.2 to 0.9NTU respectively which is within the limit prescribed by WHO. The concentration of nitrate and sulphate range between 0.47 and 3.00mg/L and <1.0 and 17.2mg/L respectively after analysis and are within the limit prescribed by WHO. The knowledge from this study can be applied in environmental and water management studies and hydrological activities

ASSESSMENT OF THE QUALITY OF WATER USED FOR DOMESTIC AND SANITARY PURPOSES IN PARTS OF PORT HARCOURT METROPOLIS, RIVERS STATE NIGERIA

This study was carried out to assess the impact or effect of industrial activities and refuse dump site on the quality of water used for domestic and sanitary purposes in parts of Port Harcourt metropolis, Rivers State Nigeria. The quality assessment was focused on physiochemical parameters. A total of twenty water samples were collected from twenty locations (randomly selected from industrial and refuse dump site areas) within the study area. Ten major physiochemical parameters which include: potency of hydrogen (PH), salinity, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS), turbidity (NTU), calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), chloride (Cl), sulphate (SO42-) and nitrate (NO3-) were analyzed. The results obtained were compared with the standards of World Health Organization (WHO) and show that the water samples have PH values between 3.78 and 7.23 which is not within the permissible limit of WHO and thus, indicating that they are acidic and not fit for domestic purposes. Salinity values range between 0.018 and 0.202mg/L indicating that the water is fresh and good for sanitary purpose, electrical conductivity values range between 38.0 and 378.7μΩ/cm, total dissolved solid and turbidity values range from 32.7 to 263.0mg/L and 0.2 to 0.9NTU respectively which is within the limit prescribed by WHO. The concentration of nitrate and sulphate range between 0.47 and 3.00mg/L and <1.0 and 17.2mg/L respectively after analysis and are within the limit prescribed by WHO. The knowledge from this study can be applied in environmental and water management studies and hydrological activities.

Quality Assessment of Water from Some Selected Sources in Pokhara, Nepal

The present study was carried out to analyze and compare the physicochemical properties of water from Seti Gandaki river, Kali stream, irrigation canal, bore well and potable sources in Pokhara Metropolitan-1, Kaski, Nepal by using standard techniques. Observed properties from different sources were compared to each other and with recommended standard World Health Organization (WHO) values. The result of the study showed that the large number of physical and chemical parameters such as color odor, temperature, specific gravity, relative turbidity, suspended solid (SS), total dissolved solid (TDS), total solid (TS), pH, electrical conductivity (EC), alkalinity, carbonate, bicarbonate, residual sodium carbonate (RSC), boron, chloride, sulphate, nitrate and nitrite-N, calcium hardness, magnesium hardness, total hardness, oil and grease, phenol, surfactants were within the permissible limit of WHO. The observed color of river water and irrigation water was glacial creamy white due to excess of cream white colored suspended colloidal particles in water. The analyzed amount of iron for the sample from different sources was more than that of permissible limit of WHO standard and iron amount was much more for bore well sample. On the basis of analyzed result and WHO standard values, it was concluded that potable water, bore well water and stream water can be used for washing, bathing, irrigation, and industrial purposes after proper treatments. In this study, most of the physicochemical and organic parameters were also analyzed but not the microbiological species.

Geochemical evaluation of groundwater quality for drinking and irrigation purposes in Shamli district, Uttar Pradesh, India

Twenty three groundwater samples collected from various locations of Shamli district, Uttar Pradesh, India, were analyzed to review numerous quality parameters for their suitability for drinking and irrigation purposes. The suitability of the groundwater for drinking analyzed with reference to World Health Organization (WHO). The most of the chemical parameters (pH, TDS, hardness, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, HCO3-,Cl-, SO42-, NO3-, B- and F-) are within the permissible limit of WHO for drinking water. The interpretation of analytical data showed that CaMgHCO3 is the dominant hydro-chemical facies in the area. Gibbs plot specifies that all the samples fall in rock dominance. The suitability of groundwater for irrigation purpose is assessed by various criteria like residual sodium carbonate (RSC), percent sodium (% Na), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), magnesium ratio (MR), permeability index (PI), Kelly’s index (KI), US salinity diagram and Wilcox classification. All these criteria showed that groundwater is excellent to good and suitable for irrigation purpose in the study area.

Microbial Quality Assurance of Dried Roots of Chlorophytum borivilianum Sant F (Safed Musli)

Aim: To assess total bacterial load and detect E. coli and Salmonella in Chlorophytum borivilianum (Safed Musli), cultivated and processed in the Bundelkhand region.
 Study Design: Quality assurance of medicinal plant raw material is essential for the preparation of good quality herbal medicines. The dried roots of Safed Musli were collected from different regions of the Bundelkhand and total aerobic microbial count was measured.
 Methodology: We collected 10 samples of Safed Musli dried roots from different regions of Bundelkhand. A stock suspension was prepared using sterile peptone water and plated on a nutrient agar medium which was used to calculate total aerobic bacterial load as colony-forming units per gram (CFU/g). Further, biochemical tests were performed to confirm the identification of E. coli and Salmonella.
 Results: The total aerobic bacteria count in dried roots of Safed Musli was within the permissible limit (105-107CFU/g of dried raw material) as per globally recognized pharmacopoeia and other regulatory agencies such as the Central Council of Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Ministry of AYUSH, Govt. of India, United States Pharmacopoeia (USP), Brazilian Pharmacopoeia (BP), European Pharmacopoeia (EP), World Health Organization (WHO), American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) and National Science Foundation/American National Standards Institute (NSF/ANSI). Although 2 out of 10 samples were found to have contamination of E. coli and Salmonella within the permissible limit of WHO, EP and NSF/ANSI.
 Conclusion: The results indicated that the Safed Musli cultivated and processed in the Bundelkhand region is suitable for the preparation of herbal medicines and food supplements.

Quality, GIS mapping and economic valuation of groundwater along river Ravi, Lahore, Pakistan

The demand for water escalated over the years and led to water shortage in many parts of the world. This situation further intensified due to water pollution. This research involves the analysis of groundwater from selected locations along River Ravi, the estimation of economic value of water for intended uses and mapping of threat zones regarding poor quality groundwater consumed by the people or the residents of the selected areas. Questionnaire survey was used as a tool for economic valuation and laboratory analysis was performed for quality testing. The quality of water was found to be average in terms of chemical and bacteriological parameters. Whereas physical parameters were found within acceptable limits. Total dissolved solids (TDS), Turbidity and Electrical conductivity (EC) results were found to be within the permissible limits given by World Health Organization (WHO). However, pH of the water samples of few areas violated the permissible limit of WHO (6.5–8.5). Among chemical parameters, nickle (0.07 mg/l) chromium (1.0 mg/l), cobalt (0.02 mg/l) and arsenic (10 ppb) exceeded their respective permissible limit. Contingent valuation method (CVM) was used for determining Willingness to pay (WTP) for drinking water quality which was found to be low (Rs. 3.848). This was due to the low-literacy level as residents were not aware of the consequences of the contaminated water. The economic value of water for irrigation purpose determined through Residual valuation method (RVM), was found to be 37.46 Wheat > 28.41 Sugarcane > 23.05 Rice. This implicates that wheat has the highest ratio for productivity and residual value as compared to rice and sugarcane. Farmers should be encouraged to grow more of wheat crops as compared to sugarcane and rice. Threat areas for deteriorated water quality were mapped for better understanding of general public regarding drinking water quality in their vicinity.

Groundwater contamination with the threat of COVID-19: Insights into CSR theory of Carroll's pyramid

In this study, we elucidated the effect of sewage drain on groundwater contamination as including different contaminants, microbes, and pathogens, which deteriorating the groundwater by poor infiltration and seepage. This is getting severer in developing countries like India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, where unprocessed effluent is discharged into the water bodies. This study was planned to elucidate the effect of sewage drain (based on distance 0–5, 5–10, 15–20, 20–25 m) from two different sewage drains to explain the different physiochemical, and biological parameters including total soluble solids (TSS), chloride, total dissolved solids (TDS), calcium, total hardness, magnesium, nitrate, chemical oxygen demand (COD), dissolved oxygen (D.O.), and biological oxygen demand (BOD). Drainage channel number-1 results showed that E. coli (positive), coliform count (22.75–48.66 /100 mL), and BOD (8–25.75 mgL−1) remained above the permissible limit of the World Health Organization (WHO). Besides, drainage channel number 2 results exposed that E. coli (positive), coliform count (17.7–47 /100 mL), and BOD (6.25–21.5 mg/ L) was not within the permissible limit of WHO. The presence of COVID-19 in the stool has been significantly reported in the literature. The presence of stool in sewage drain leading to groundwater contamination can be an emerging threat to water pollution and could lead to the spread of COVID-19. This study helps to minimize this threat with the help of corporate social responsibility (CSR). Because organizational responsibility towards its society is one of the critical factors to contain numerous issues related to the society.

Groundwater quality assessment of Shahdadkot, Qubo Saeed Khan and Sijawal Junejo Talukas of District Qambar Shahdadkot, Sindh

The study examines the water quality of Shahdadkot, Qubo Saeed Khan and Sijawal Junejo talukas of Qambar Shahdadkot District, less affected by industrial contamination. A total of 38 groundwater samples were collected and analysed for 28 parameters. The results indicated that 57.89% samples were not suitable for drinking purpose with total dissolved solids above than maximum permissible limit of World Health Organization (WHO) (1000 mg/L). The pH, total phosphate, orthophosphate and nitrite were within WHO limits. The concentration of essential metals more than half samples, fluoride in 60.52% and heavy metals 0–50% were contaminated higher than permissible limits of WHO. The statistical analysis of water quality parameters was also carried out to evaluate coefficient of determination among the parameters, cluster analysis and principal component analysis. Water quality determined for irrigation based on Kelly index (KI), sodium percentage (Na%), chloride–sulphate ratio, sodium adsorption ratio, permeability index (PI), chloroalkaline indices 1 (CAI-1), residual sodium carbonate and chloride bicarbonate ratio indicated that samples (55 to 100%) could be used for irrigation purposes. The consumption of water with high concentration of salts and fluoride above the permissible limits may be a cause of a number of diseases in the area.

Bacteriological and Physicochemical Assessment of Drinking Water Collected from the Private Selling Sites of Urban Areas of Khamis Mushait City-KSA

This study was conducted in the urban area of Khamis Mushait City, Aseer Region, and Saudi Arabia. A total of 50 samples of drinking water were collected from private selling sites of unbolted water in the urban area of Khamis Mushait city. Physicochemical parameters such as pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), and electrical conductivity (EC) of water samples were measured using standard methods to assess the quality of drinking water. The pH values of water samples ranged from 6.56±0.1 to 8.5±0.49, TSD changed from 104.7±0.28 to 202.4±1.7 mg/liter and EC from 163.6±0.45 to 316.3±2.61 µS/cm. The previous results indicated that all physicochemical parameters are within the permissible limits of WHO (2011) for drinking water quality. The bacteriological examination of water samples included the most probable number (MPN/100 ml) of coliforms, E.coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The results showed that E. coli bacterium was not detected in all samples, while total coliform group was found in 7 samples out of 50 samples analyzed (14%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was found in 24 samples out of a total of 50 samples (48%). Furthermore, this study has revealed that about 54% of the water samples collected from private selling sites is incompatible to the World Health Organization (WHO) standards for drinking water quality.

Effects of a Municipal Dumpsite on Groundwater Quality in Ikole Ekiti Area, Southwest Nigeria

A physico-chemical and bacteriological evaluation of water in three boreholes (numbered BH1, BH2, & BH3) close to a Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) disposal site at Ootunja Ekiti in Ikole Local Government Area (L.G.A.) of Ekiti State, Nigeria were carried out in order to ascertain suitability of the groundwater for potable uses. The water quality parameters obtained were compared with recommended limits of the World Health Organization (WHO) and Nigeria Standard of Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ) for drinking water. Total dissolved solid (TDS) with a mean value of 16.64 mgl-1 was recorded. The cations and anions in the water were within the prescribed WHO and NSDWQ permissible limits. Chlorides content ranged between 12.0 and 16.0mg/l, while Nitrate content ranged from 6.12 to 7.10mg/l, quantities of heavy metals like Cadmium, Mercury and Lead varies from zero to a very minute content which is within the permissible limit of WHO and NSDWQ. Both organic content and faecal coliform count were satisfactory for water supply. The investigation shows pH values of 6.51, 7.05, and 5.79 for water samples obtained from BH1, BH2 and BH3 respectively. This indicates that the water from BH1 and BH3 were slightly acidic while water from BH 2 is neutral. The pH reading for water sample from BH3 is below the WHO and NSDWQ recommended standard.

Evaluation of groundwater quality for drinking and irrigation purposes in the north-western area of Libya (Aligeelat)

Groundwater is considered an important water source for agricultural, drinking and domestic uses in many regions of the world including Libya, especially in its coastal area. This study aims to assess the quality of groundwater in north-western area of Libya for drinking and agricultural through examining its physico-chemical characteristics such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), total hardness, cations and anions. These parameters are used to assess the suitability of groundwater for domestic purposes by comparing their current values with the maximum permissible limits of these parameters that are recommended by World Health Organization (WHO). The EC, sodium adsorption ratio, soluble sodium percentage, Kelly’s ratio and magnesium adsorption ratio of the groundwater are also used to evaluate its suitability for irrigation. Gibbs diagram shows the evaporation–crystallization dominance in controlling the quality of groundwater. The main hydrochemical facies is Ca–Mg–SO4–Cl type of water in both methods of Piper and Chadha’s diagram. The results revealed that most groundwater samples were not suitable for drinking and household uses due to their high levels of most cations and anions, total hardness, EC and TDS. Most of the collected water samples showed the investigated parameter levels exceeded the permissible limits of WHO. Therefore, most of the groundwater samples are considered unsuitable for irrigation due to its high salt content, unless certain measures for salinity control are undertaken.

Quality Assessment of Drinking Water in Missan Province, Iraq

The present study was undertaken to determine the physicochemical properties in drinking water samples collected from ten locations distributed in centre and districts of Moissan province during the months October, November and December; 2015. Laboratory tests were performed for the analysis of samples for pH, electrical conductivity, turbidity, calcium ion, magnesium ion, total hardness, chloride ion, sulphate ion, total dissolved solid, total suspended solid, nitrates and phosphates. These parameters were compared with the guideline value of World Health Organization (WHO) and Iraqi standards. Results indicated that some of these parameters did not exceed the permissible limit of the WHO and Iraqi standards for drinking water, such as pH, calcium ion magnesium ion, total suspended solid, nitrates and phosphates, whereas electrical conductivity, turbidity, total hardness, total dissolved solid, chloride ion and sulphate ion were above the permissible limits of WHO and Iraqi standards. Results of the present study suggested that the water sample is not suitable for drinking purpose.

Occurrence of high uranium and radon in hard rock aquifers of South India – Evaluating the temporal and spatial trends

Total uranium concentration and radon activity in groundwater were measured in the hard rock aquifer of South India to understand the spatial and temporal distribution of these radioactive elements and their implication on human health. A detailed study was conducted by collecting a total of 124 samples representing four different seasons in various lithologies of Madurai district of Tamil Nadu. The study focuses on identifying the sources of uranium and radon with the help of stable isotopes, statistical analysis and pCO2 values. The higher concentration of uranium and radon is observed in Granitic terrains. 13% of samples in uranium exceed the permissible limit of WHO (world health organization) standard in all seasons while radon shows that 19% of samples during southwest monsoon and 13% of samples during north east monsoon exceed the permissible limit for drinking (USEPA limit of 11.1Bq/l). Speciation of uranium shows that among different species of uranium in aqueous media, carbonate complexes [UO2(CO3)22−] are found to be dominant. High uranium coupled with high pCO2 values of groundwater indicates that bicarbonate enhances the weathering process and thus mobilizes uranium in groundwater and especially around the granitic terrain, which is confirmed by correlation between uranium and bicarbonate ion. The carbonates were compared to that of the uranium concentrations and its relationship to other ions was established by adopting statistical analysis. The stable isotope signatures of δ18O and δD indicate that most of the uranium rich groundwaters are rainwater recharged and the samples of fissile hornblende biotite gneiss region show evaporative enrichment. However the isotope trends observed in groundwaters of different formations indicate that the recharge mechanism is not same throughout the study area. This study also demonstrates the fact that lithology controls uranium distribution in groundwater.

DETERMINATION OF HEAVY METALS CONCENTRATION IN DRINKING WATER FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES OF BASRAH CITY

Samples from different types of containers (i.e., tankers, tanks and cooler drinking water) from different places in Basrah city are collected for the period 1/10/2008 to 1/4/2009 to perform laboratory studying in order to determine the concentrations of heavy metals (Lead, Cadmium, Cobalt, Zinc, Copper, Mercury and Nickel) in these samples of water and to study the effect of these containers on this water. Atomic absorption spectrophotometer technique is used to obtain the results. The results are compared with the permissible limit concentrations specified by WHO (World Health Organization). According to WHO basis, the present work shows that all types of containers are contaminated by heavy metal, specially Lead, Copper and Nickel which causes severe effect on human health and body organs. The data are treated with simple statistics by using of cluster analysis. The interpretations of the applied methods (laboratory tests and cluster) confirm each other and the heavy metals are divided into two groups, one of them violates the permissible limits of WHO and the other group are less than the permissible limits. The research recommended the necessary recycling cleaning to all types of containers, exposure to aeration every three days and replaces the drinking water every day.

Drinking water quality at Isoko North communities of the Niger Delta Region, Nigeria

Groundwater samples from boreholes and open-hand-dug wells of six communities in the Isoko North Local Government Area of Nigeria were analyzed in respect to physicochemical factors, biological factors, and the metals Na, K, Mg, Ca, Ba, Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu, and Fe for eight consecutive months to give mean values for the wet (July to October 2010) and the dry seasons (November 2010 to February 2011) for each location. The physicochemical parameters complied with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, except for the pH being lower and the concentrations of Pb, Cd, and Ba, being higher than the permissible limits of WHO. Total coliform counts indicated bacterial contaminations, especially in one location. The presence of Pb in the drinking water of all communities seemed to be associated with oil exploration and processing activities.