Physico-Chemical Analysis of Drinking Water in Different Districts of Southern West-Bengal, India

Science Research Reporter, 6(2):119-125, (Oct - 2016)

Research Article

Physico-chemical analysis of drinking water in different districts of southern West-Bengal, India.

Ujjal Das, Arnab Basu and Sheela Roy

Fishery and Aquaculture unit, Department of Zoology (P.G. Section), Vidyasagar College, Block CL, Sector II, Salt Lake City, Kolkata-700 091 [email protected]

Article Info Abstract

Received: 17-08-2016 The drinking water samples from taps (supplied by the Municipalities) and Revised: 28-09-2016 tube wells, collected from 19 sites of 8 districts of southern part of West Accepted: 30-09-2016 Bengal, India were examined to determine the physical (odour, colour) and chemical parameters (pH, chloride, arsenic, iron, alkalinity, hardness etc). Keywords: Dissolved oxygen (4.25 – 9.93 ppm), conductivity (0.25 – 3.24ms/cm), TDS ground water, microbial load, (129.2 – 167.1 ppm), pH (6.62 – 7.7), Total alkalinity (110.0 – 460.0 ppm), tap water, water analyses, west calcium (6.41 – 133 ppm) and magnesium (0.97 – 86.74 ppm) were recorded Bengal from all sites. The data revealed that collected water samples of all sites were within the safe tolerance limit. Only chloride (42.6 – 986.5 ppm) and hardness (32.0 – 688.0 ppm) showed a wide variation at different locations. Arsenic (< 0.01 ppm) had a safe level in all the water samples. In three sites iron content recorded (0.29 - 1.71ppm) were beyond the maximum tolerance limit. Microbiological tests were also done to detect the presence of microbial load. Only one sites indicated the presence of faecal contamination.

INTRODUCTION High concentrations of arsenic and iron in Water is essential to all forms of life. A drinking water over the WHO permissible limit man on an average consumes about two liters of have become high profile problems. Ground water water every day. Approximately 97.2% water lies in is a large source of drinking water among the other Oceans as salt water, while 2.15% in frozen ice drinking water sources for the large number of form and the remaining 0.65% remains as people all over the world. In recent times certain freshwater either on surface water or as ground human activities pollute the ground water more and water (Dhonde and Kulkarni, 2012). Available also the rain brings down the air pollutants from the freshwater resources are limited. The demand for heavily contaminated surrounding atmosphere. freshwater have continued to increase with the rapid Drinking water quality had been assessed by many growths of population, agriculture and industry. As authors in India and other countries (BharatMani a result the freshwater reserve depletes day by day and Gaikawad, 1998; Ahmed et al., 2000; Ubale too. The approximate global requirement of and Dhuley, 2000; Chavan et al., 2005; Makwaha et freshwater only for drinking purpose is 16.5 billion al., 2012; Napacha and Manyele, 2010; Dhonde and L per day. So conservation of the good quality of Kulkarni, 2012; Tambekar and Neware, 2012; water is of prime importance. Good quality water Nilesh et al., 2014). Quality of drinking water in should be clear, colourless, odourless, well aerated, municipal supplied water and tube wells of eight cool, soft and free from toxic pollutants, suspended different districts of West Bengal, India, in both matter or sediments (WHO, 2008). urban and industrial areas were examined to

http://jsrr.net 119 ISSN: 2249-7846 (Online) Ujjal Das et al., assess the possibilities of water borne diseases in (Total Hardness, Calcium, Magnesium, Salinity, this part. We now present the results of our findings Total Alkalinity, and Phenolphthalein Alkalinity, herein. pH, Total dissolved solid, Conductivity and Dissolved oxygen) were estimated. Presence of MATERIALS AND METHODS contaminants (Arsenic and Iron) was also assessed. Location of Experimental sites The Standard protocols of APHA, 2005 were Water sample were collected from nineteen sites of followed for water analyses. eight different districts of Southern West Bengal Nutrient agar was used as medium for microbial during May 2011 to October 2011. Eight different culture which then incubated for 48 h at districts were Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, North 24 37 0C and stained with grams stain. Parganas, South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore, West Midnapore and Burdwan. Ground water is the chief RESULTS AND DISCUSSION source of drinking water of the people of the studied Dissolved Oxygen: areas. Some sites have two sources of drinking Dissolved oxygen content of water is influenced by water i.e., Ground water and Corporation or the source, water temperature, treatment and Municipal water (treated and purified). The site chemico-biological processes. At the point of locations were, collection, dissolved oxygen ranged from 4.25-9.93 (I) Howrah district (22°35΄N and 88°23΄E) had four ppm (Fig.1) and so could be used as consumable different sites. These were Howrah Central Ground water as the tolerance level of dissolved oxygen for water (site-1); Howrah Corporation water (site-2); human consumption is 4.0ppm (WHO, 2008). Howrah South Ground water, Baksara (site-3); Similar observation was made by Makwana et al., Howrah North Ground water, Salkia (site-4). 2012 for the water of Gandhinagar district of (II) Similarly sites of Kolkata district (22°32΄N and Gujarat, India. 88°20΄E) were Kolkata Central Ground water (site- Electrical conductivity and Total dissolved 5); Kolkata North Ground water, Tala (site-6); solids: Kolkata North Corporation water, Tala (site-7); Obtained results showed a conductivity range Kolkata South Ground water, Jadavpur (site-8); between 0.25-3.24 ms/cm (Fig.2). For drinking Kolkata South Corporation water, Khidirpur (site- water Electrical conductivity should not exceed 0.80 9); Kolkata South Ground water, Khidirpur (site- ms/cm (WHO, 2008).Total dissolved solids (TDS), 10). a related parameter varied from 129.20 to 167.10 (III) Jhapandanga Ground water (site-11) for ppm (Fig.3). The standard TDS tolerance limit for Burdwan district (22°56΄ N and 86°48΄ E). drinking water is less than 500.00 ppm (WHO, (IV) Singur Ground water (site-12) was the site for 2008). Hence the TDS in the samples were within Hooghly district (22°90΄N and 88°37΄E). the tolerance limit. (V) Two sites had been chosen for each Midnapore pH and Alkalinity: districts, Midnapore Town Municipal water (site- For drinking purposes preferable range of pH 13) and Jhargram Ground water (site-14) for West should be between 6.50-8.50 (WHO, 2008).This Midnapore (22°40΄N and 87°38΄E) and studies showed a range between 6.62 and 7.70 (VI) Old Digha Ground water (site-15) and Egra (Fig.3). The lowest pH recorded at site 5 (Central Ground water (site-16) for East Midnapore Kolkata Ground water) showed low hardness. Water (21°93΄N and 87°77΄E). with low pH can cause damage to pipes and can (VII) Sites in South 24 Parganas (22°06΄N and lead to respiratory problems. Alkalinity is a related 88°60΄E) were Bamanghata Ground water (site-17). parameter of pH. Alkalinity is a measure of water (VII) Two sites of the North 24 Parganas (23°15΄N buffering capacity against pH changes. Total and 89°05΄E) were Salt Lake Ground water (site- alkalinity is affected by environmental factors like 18) and Baranagar Municipality water (site-19). rain, acidic sanitizer and domestic discharges. Most Collection of samples alkalinity in surface water covers from calcium The water was collected from the different sites in carbonate being leached from rocks and soils. 500 ml narrow mouthed sterilized polyethylene Alkalinity is significant for drinking water as it can bottles and brought to the laboratory for physico- influence the treatment process such as an anaerobic chemical analysis. Physical parameters (Colour, process. Odour) as well as several chemical parameters

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Table1. Analysis of heavy metals in studied samples.

Site Location Arsenic Iron 1. Howrah Ground water BDL 0.56 2. Kolkata Ground water BDL 0.68 3. Hooghly Ground water BDL 0.29 4. East Midnapore Ground water <0.01 0.29 5. West Midnapore Ground water BDL 1.38 6. N.24 Parganas Municipal water <0.01 0.48 7. S.24 Parganas Ground water <0.01 0.71 8. Burdwan Ground water BDL 1.71 BDL = Below detection limit

Table 2 Physical properties of the drinking water samples.

Site Site Name Odour Colour 1. Central Howrah ground water Pungent Light yellow 2. Howrah Corporation water Odourless Colourless 3. South Howrah ground water Odourless Colourless 4. North Howrah ground water Slightly pungent Colourless 5. Central Kolkata ground water Unpleasant Colourless 6. North Kolkata ground water at Tala Odourless Colourless 7. North Kolkata corporation water at Tala Odourless Colourless 8. South Kolkata ground water at Jadavpour Odourless Colourless 9 South Kolkata corporation water at Khidirpur Odourless Colourless 10 South Kolkata ground water at Khidirpur Pungent Light yellow 11 Burdwan Ground water at Jhapandanga Odour less Colou less 12 Hooghly Ground water at Singur Strongly pungent Deep yellow 13 West Midnapore Town Municipal water Odourless Colourless 14 West Midnapore ground water at Jhargram Odourless Colourless 15 East Midnapore ground water at Old Digha Odourless Colourless 16 East Midnapore ground water at Egra Odourless Colourless 17 South 24 Parganas ground water at Bamanghata Odourless Colourless 18 North 24 Parganas ground water at Salt Lake Slightly pungent Light yellow 19 North 24 Parganas Municipal water at Baranagar Odourless Colourless

This investigation showed phenolphthalein fill, use of inorganic fertilizer are the main sources alkalinity to range from 0.0 to 60.0 ppm whereas of surface and ground water chloride ions (Napacho total alkalinity ranged from 110.0-460.0 ppm and Manyele, 2010). Our study showed a wide (Fig.4). The tolerance limit of alkalinity for human range of chloride ions in the sampled drinking water consumption should be less than 200.0 ppm, beyond varied from 42.6 to 986.5 ppm (Fig.4). The this level the taste of water becomes unpleasant maximum tolerance level of chloride for drinking (WHO, 2008). water is 250 ppm (WHO, 2008). . Higher alkalinity Chloride: In drinking water chlorides are found as may result from higher concentration of calcium mineral solvents in the form of salts of Sodium carbonate in the water as a consequence to rain and Chloride, Potassium Chloride and Calcium acidic sanitizer. Chloride. Industrial effluences, animal feed, land http://jsrr.net 121 ISSN: 2249-7846 (Online) Ujjal Das et al., Fig.1 Shows the variations of electrical conductivity and TDS in drinking water samples.

3.5 1800

1600 3 1400 2.5 1200 Electrical conductivity 2 1000 (ms/cm) TDS(ppm)

1.5 800 TDS(ppm) 600 1 400

Electrical conductivity (ms/cm) Electrical conductivity 0.5 200

0 0

Site Site1 Site2 Site3 Site4 Site5 Site6 Site7 Site8 9 Site Site10 Site11 Site12 Site13 Site14 Site15 Site16 Site17 Site18 19 Sites

Fig.2 Shows the variations of dissolved oxygen in drinking water samples.

6 Dissoved oxygen(ppm)

2 Dissoved oxygen(ppm) Dissoved

Site 1Site 2Site 3Site 4Site 5Site 6Site 7Site 8Site 9 Site 10Site 11Site 12Site 13Site 14Site 15Site 16Site 17Site 18Site 19 Sites

Fig.3 Shows the variations of chloride content in drinking water samples.

1200

1000

800

600 Chloride (ppm)

400 Chloride (ppm)

200

Site 1Site 2Site 3Site 4Site 5Site 6Site 7Site 8Site 9 Site 10Site 11Site 12Site 13Site 14Site 15Site 16Site 17Site 18Site 19 Sites

http://jsrr.net 122 ISSN: 2249-7846 (Online) Science Research Reporter, 6(2):119-125, (Oct - 2016) Fig.4 Shows the variations of total hardness, calcium, magnesium in drinking water samples.

800 100

700 90 80 600 70 500 60 Total hardness(ppm) 400 50 Calcium(ppm) 40 Magnersium(ppm) 300

30 Magnesium(ppm) 200

20 T.hardness and calcium(ppm)T.hardness 100 10

0 0

Site Site1 Site2 Site3 Site4 5Site Site6 Site7 Site8 9 Site Site10 Site11 Site12 Site13 14Site Site15 Site16 Site17 Site18 19 Sites

Fig.5 Shows the variations of phenolphthalein alkalinity, total alkalinity, pH in drinking water samples.

500 7.8

450 7.6

400 7.4 350 7.2 300 P.Alkalinity(ppm) 7 250 T.Alkalinity(ppm) 6.8 pH 200 pH 6.6 Alkalinity(ppm) 150 100 6.4 50 6.2 0 6

Site 1Site 2Site 3Site 4Site 5Site 6Site 7Site 8Site 9 Site 10Site 11Site 12Site 13Site 14Site 15Site 16Site 17Site 18Site 19 Sites

Legends to the figures Fig.1 Shows the variations of dissolved oxygen in drinking water samples. Fig.2 Shows the variations of electrical conductivity and TDS in drinking water samples. Fig.3 Shows the variations of phenelopthalein alkalinity, total alkalinity, pH in drinking water samples. Fig.4 Shows the variations of chloride content in drinking water samples. Fig.5 Shows the variations of total hardness, calcium, magnesium in drinking water samples

http://jsrr.net 123 ISSN: 2249-7846 (Online) Ujjal Das et al., Similar observations were put forward by Makwana microbial contamination. Microbial contamination et al. 2012; Napacho and Manyele, 2010 on of major urban and rural system has the potential to drinking water. cause a large number of diseases (WHO, 2008). Hardness: Coliform bacteria are used as indicator for water Hardness generally results from the presence of quality (Ashorlt et al., 2001; Ruhi Rizvi et.al., calcium and magnesium. The hardness of water 2013) because it affects the human health through varies from place to place. Mato, 2002 classified, dangerous enteric pathogens (Scott et al., 2003). hardness of water into six groups, i.e., soft, The presence of indicator bacteria in water bodies is moderate, slightly soft, slightly hard, moderate hard a sign of faecal contamination and is suggested as a and excessive hard. Higher levels of calcium and potential danger and health risk (Baghel et al., magnesium can cause several types of diseases 2005). Our observation showed the presence of high (Napacho and Mangel, 2010). During this bacterial count from water collected from tube wells investigation we found a wide range of variation in at Khidirpore Kolkata which indicated the presence total hardness in the drinking waters of Southern of faecal contamination (Table.3). West Bengal. It ranged from 32 to 688 ppm (Fig.5). Conclusion: This study confirmed that the potable Total hardness of most of the waters samples was water in most of the sampling sites was of good observed to meet the desirable limit of WHO. quality. Further, it was noted that parameters like However, the data for North Kolkata Ground water hardness, total alkalinity, chloride content exceeded (688ppm) exceeded the limit, which may be beyond the tolerance limit of WHO in a few sites. attributed to the presence of more calcium and The data revealed that the ground water samples magnesium salts in this area. Low levels of calcium collected from Bamanghata (district of South 24 and magnesium were reported from four sites, parganas) was unsuitable for drinking purposes namely, South Howrah Ground water, North whereas water samples collected from Baranagar Howrah Ground water, Hooghly Ground water and municipal area (North 24 parganas) was of the best East Midnapore Ground water (Table-2). The quality. tolerance limit for total hardness in consumable water is 300 ppm (WHO, 2008). Reference Calcium and Magnesium: APHA (American Public Health Organization), The factors affecting total hardness of water depend 2012. Standard methods for examination of water on Calcium and Magnesium ions and its associated and waste water. Washington DC, USA.22. anions. The thresh hold limit ranges for calcium is Asbolt NJ, Garbow WOK and Snozzi M, 2001. between 100 to 300 ppm (WHO, 2008). In our Indicators of microbial water quality. In water observations it varied from 6.41 to 133 ppm (Fig.5) quality Guidelines, Standards and Health. Fewtrell while the magnesium concentration ranged from L, Banthram J, Eds, IWA Publising: London, U.K. 0.97 to 86.74 ppm (Fig.5). The thresh hold for pp.289-316. magnesium is lower than calcium (WHO, 2008). Baghel V, Gopal K, Dwivedi SD, Tripathi RD, Arsenic: 2005. Bacterial Indicators of Faecal Pollution in the The health standard of arsenic is 0.01 ppm (WHO, Runoff of Gangotri Glacier System Right at its 2008). Our study indicated that the samples had a Source. Ecol. Indic., 5:49-55. safe level of arsenic in all water samples (Table -1). Dhonde SM and Kulkarni GB, 2012.Hydro- Iron: chemical Monitorining of Drinking water in Kadi South Kolkata ground water showed the maximum river at Nimgaon Choba project in Beed Dist.M.S) value of iron which also indicated by its reddish India. Bioscience Discovery, 3:133-137. brown colour. The desirable limit of iron is 0.3 ppm Makwana SA, Patel CG and Patel TJ, 2012. and permissible limit is 1ppm (WHO, 2008). Three Physico-Chemical analysis of drinking water of sites (namely, South Kolkata Khidirpur ground Gandhinagar district. Arch. Appl.Sci. Res., 4(1): water, West Midnapore Jhargram ground water, 461- 464. Burdwan ground water) showed the values of iron Mato RAM, 2002. Ground Water Pollution in content beyond the maximum tolerance limit of Urban Dar es Salaam,Tanzania: Assessing WHO and should not use as drinking water. vulnerability and Protection Priorities, Endhoven Coliform Bacteria: The most common and wide- university of Tecnology, Netherlands. spread health risk associated with drinking water is

http://jsrr.net 124 ISSN: 2249-7846 (Online) Science Research Reporter, 6(2):119-125, (Oct - 2016) Napacho ZA and Manyele SV, 2010. Quality Scott TM, Salina P, Porties KM, Rose JB, assessment of drinking water in Temeke district Tamplin ML, Farra SR, Koo A and Lukasik J, (part II): Characterization of chemical parameters. 2003. Geographical variations in ribiotype profiles African Journal of Environmental Science and of Esceria coli isolates from human Swan, poultry, Technology, 4(II): 775-789. beef and dairy cattle in Florida, Appl. Environ. Nilesh R, Sagar S and Pratap N, 2014. Drinking Microbial. 639:1089:1092. water quality index of Avashi village of Lote Tambekar DH and Neware BB, 2012. Water Parshuram Industrial Area (LPIA) of (MS) India. quality index and multivariate analysis for Sci.Res.Repot., 3(1):94-100. groundwater quality assessment of villages of rural Ruhi Rizvi, Kamble LH, and Kadam AS, 2013. India. Sci.Res.Report., 2(3): 229-235. Heterotrophic plate count Bacteria in drinking water WHO (World Health Organization), 2008. supply of a selected area of Nanded City. Sci. Res. Guidelines for drinking water quality. 1(3):1-668. Rept, 3(1):66-68.

How to Cite this Article: Ujjal Das, Arnab Basu and Sheela Roy, 2016. Physico-chemical analysis of drinking water in different districts of southern West-Bengal, India. Science Research Reporter, 6(2):119-125.

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