Spatial Patterns of Arsenic in Drinking Water Supply System and Its Effects on Human Health in Lahore 2015

Pakistan Geographical Review, Vol.70, No.1, June. 2016, PP 1-10

SPATIAL PATTERNS OF ARSENIC IN DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM AND ITS EFFECTS ON HUMAN HEALTH IN LAHORE 2015

* Department of* Geography, University of* the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan ** ISMA **YOUNESSpace & Upper, ABDUL Atmosphere GHAFFAR Research& MUHAMMAD Commission, Karachi SHAFIQ ABSTRACT This paper focuses on drinking water quality of public water supply system in Lahore District. The district has nine towns and a cantonment area. Water And Sanitation Authority (WASA) is supplying public water to almost every part of the district. The water samples were selected from tube wells (sources) and end points (houses) through random sampling. Twenty one water samples were collected each from tube wells and end points in pre-monsoon season. The same number of water samples was collected in post monsoon season. The study shows that the levels of arsenic both at sources and end points were well above the level of arsenic recommended by Drinking Water Quality Standards of Pakistan (2010) as well as that of World Health Organization (2011). This high amount of arsenic in water is affecting the health of inhabitants in study area such as it is causing a number of diseases including arsenicosis, discoloration of the skin, diarrhea, numbness, vomiting, and cancer of different organs such as cancer of lungs, kidney, liver, bladder, skin and prostate. A questionnaire survey has been conducted to collect information about disease prevalence among inhabitants of study area in different seasons in terms of number of patients. The results of responses of inhabitants supported the results of analysis of water samples in laboratory.

Key Words: Spatial patterns, Water Quality, Arsenic.

INTRODUCTION Water is referred to as polluted when it is contaminated with anthropogenic pollutants and it remains no longer useful for human beings as drinking water (Crabil, 1999). There are a number of natural and anthropogenic causes that bring changes in quality and ecological status of water. The natural causes are volcanoes, algal bloom, earthquakes, floods as well as storms and nature of rainfall that vary in terms of acidity due to presence of pollutants (Paul, 2011). Others are anthropogenic causes such as release of chemicals containing hazardous

1 Younes, Ghaffar & Shafiq

waste from industries, mining, making landfills without planning and using sewerage as well as water supplying pipes of low quality that are directly or indirectly affecting drinking water quality. The major causes of contamination of ground water are storage tanks, uncontrolled hazardous waste, septic tanks, landfills, chemicals, presence of road salts and atmospheric contaminants (EPA, 2000). The quality of ground water also depends upon a number of factors such as the existing ground water that may be 10,000 years old, the nature of rock that comprises the aquifer and the nature of soil through which water infiltrate (Gray, 2010). Ground water which is called as subsurface water is held by aquifers. Its uppermost layer is called water table and its lower limits are marked by the depth of saturated soil (Kupchela, 1992). Ground water moves through the geological materials at a slow rate which results in accumulation of a number of pollutants in it. The over exploitation of ground water also causes excess of salinization of water. Ground water is the main source of drinking water of population of the city but that is vulnerable to depletion due to excessive extraction. This situation is the result of increase in population size of the city, unplanned growth of residential colonies and lack of interest of concerned development authority (Ahmad, 1995). As far as aquifer is concerned, the alluvial deposits of quaternary age made base of the aquifer (Kanwal, 2015). The aquifer is composed of alluvium consisting of alluvial sands and loosely arranged alluvial sediments with a thickness of 400m (Kanwal, 2015). Most of the soil along green belts in study area is silty clay which is predominantly composed of Quartz, Muscovite and Clinoclore (Shahid, 2013). A number of chemical pollutants that pollute the water include Arsenic, Aluminum, Antimony, Barium, Boron, Cadmium, Chloride, Chromium, Copper, Cyanide, Fluoride, Iodine, Lead, Manganese, Mercury, Nickel, Nitrate, Nitrite, Selenium, TDS and Zinc etc. The arsenic in the sediments is associated with iron oxyhydroxides that becomes part of ground water due to reductive dissolution of iron (Berg, 2001). It is a metal substance that is found in very small amounts in nature. In some areas mineral deposits naturally have high levels of arsenic. When ground water flows through these deposits, little amounts of arsenic dissolves in it. In urban areas recharge to ground water is almost inconsiderable. The amount of annual rainfall in the city is adequate to recharge the aquifer but the prevailing infrastructure of the city does not allow recharge to ground water. The development of new housing colonies has left no ground water recharge zones in the city. However, most of the rainfall is lost in the form of runoff and becomes part of drains. According to a study conducted by Water and Power Development Authority in 2005, 2 Pakistan Geographical Review, Vol.70, No.1, June. 2016, PP 01-10 the seepage losses from major canals and linked distributaries are only 15 percent and 18 percent of their total flow respectively (Qureshi, 2014). Lahore District was selected for the study as almost no research before has been carried out on the public water supply system at a large scale in Lahore. It is a flat alluvial plain mainly composed of alluvial material deposited by river Ravi. The district slopes down southward and south westward at a regular gradient of 1:3000. The contamination of ground water with arsenic had previously been highlighted at a few places of the city area (Naseem, 2001). Thus there is a rising need to highlight the patterns as well as trend of arsenic in ground water in pre-monsoon and post monsoon seasons. MATERIAL AND METHODS The water samples were collected from tube wells and houses. All water samples were taken twice a year to investigate the effect of seasonal changes on arsenic level in water. The first water samples were collected before start of monsoon season and the second water samples were collected in post monsoon season. The houses selected were located nearest to the tube well and were using public water supply for drinking and other purposes. The collection of water samples was done using sterile autoclave proof glass sample bottles. Once collected the samples were stored and taken to the laboratory for analysis. The tests were processed within five hours after their collection. The levels of arsenic were measured by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. Figures 1 and 2 show the locations of sample tube wells and end points from where water samples were taken for measuring arsenic levels. Primary data about number of patients of arsenicosis in different seasons were also collected from inhabitants of study area using questionnaire. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The amount of arsenic in public water supply was assessed on the basis of analytical results. The limits of arsenic in study area were compared with standards set by World Health Organization (2011). The level of Arsenic should not be greater than 0.05 mg/L according to WHO (2011). Figure 3 below shows the post monsoon patterns of Arsenic in water samples of tube wells. It is clear from the figure that the values of arsenic at Baghichi, Yakki Gate, Fateh Garh, Ichhra, Dars Bary Mian and Model Town were exceeding the permissible limit set by WHO (2011) as well as limits followed by EPA, Pakistan. Figure 4 below shows the post monsoon patterns of Arsenic in water samples of end points. The levels of Arsenic were higher than permissible limits set by WHO (2011) at Baghichi, Fateh 3 Younes, Ghaffar & Shafiq

Garh, Yakki Gate, Dars Bary Mian, Pani Wala Talab, Ichhra and Model Town. A minor difference in patterns of Arsenic at tube wells and end points can be observed to the northern part of the study area. This difference may be due to the shallow water table or less depth of the tube wells.

4 Pakistan Geographical Review, Vol.70, No.1, June. 2016, PP 01-10

5 Pakistan Geographical Review, Vol.70, No.1, June. 2016, PP 1-10

Table 1: Levels of Arsenic in Water Samples of Tube Wells and End Points

Locations Pre- Post-M Pre-M Post-M M (TW) (EP) (EP) (TW) Baghichi 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.05 Yakki Gate 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 Fateh Garh 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.05 Ichhra 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 Huma Block 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 Green Town 0.05 0.05 0.1 0.1 Gulshen Colony 0.05 0.05 0.1 0.1 CMH 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 Nehru Park 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 Dars Bary Mian 0.1 0.1 0.05 0.1 Pani Wala Talab 0.05 0.05 0.1 0.1 Source: Race Course 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 Field Park Survey Model Town 0.1 0.1 0.05 0.01 (2015) Ghaziabad 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 Windsor Park 0.05 0.05 0.1 0.1 Marghzar 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 Colony PU 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 Harbanspura 0.05 0.1 0.1 0.1 Mehmood Booti 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 Liberty 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05

6 Pakistan Geographical Review, Vol.70, No.1, June. 2016, PP 01-10

7 Younes, Ghaffar & Shafiq

A basic two way ANOVA method was aaplied on results of arsenic obtained from laboratory analysis of water samples taken from houses in post monsoon season and they were cross checked by data collected about arsenicosis through questionnaire from inhabitants of study area. Figure 5 shows the effects of arsenic among population of sample locations. There are many locations where level of arsenic was within permissible limits and no patients of arsenicosis were found at those locations. There are a few locations where level of arsenic was high well above the permissible limit. It has been noted that the inhabitants at those locations were suffering from arsenicosis. Figure 6 shows the number of patients of arsenicosis at sample locations. The figure also highlight the level of arsenic at different locations. It is clear form the figure that three patients of arsenicosis were identified at Badami Bagh and five patients at Baghbanpura. Only one patient was found at Gulshan Ravi, two patients were found at Ravi Road and four patients were found at Mughalpura, Sheranwala Gate and Yakki Gate. The above figures also highlight the comparison of arsenic level in water samples of public and private water supplying systems. It has been identified that water supplied by private tube wells is cleaner than that of public water supplying tube wells. It has also been highlighted that no patients of arsenicosis were found at locations such as PU and Cantonment as these locations are served with water by private water supply systems. SUMMARY Arsenic is a heavy metal which is released from the sediments that were bury and are able to accumulate in the ground water. Arsenic is found in those areas that are plain and where aquifers are poorly flushed. Lahore district is almost a flat area where movement of water in aquifer is also slow. The normal range of arsenic is 0.05 according to WHO (2011) guide lines. Arsenic up to 0.05 mg/L is found in water under natural conditions but high concentration is due to oxidizing and reducing aquifers as well as industry. For this study water samples were collected from tube wells and houses. The water samples were collected prior to monsoon season and during monsoon season. All water samples were taken twice a year. The water samples were collected using sterile autoclave proof glass sample bottles that were taken to laboratory for analysis. The

8 Pakistan Geographical Review, Vol.70, No.1, June. 2016, PP 01-10 levels of arsenic were measured by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. It was identified that the concentration of arsenic was high at eight locations (Yakki Gate, Green Town, Dars Bary Mian, Windsor Park, Pani wala Talab, Mehmood Booti, Baghbanpura and Ichhra) as shown in figure 3 and 4. The results of water analysis obtained from the lab were cross checked by primary data collected about number of patients of arsenicosis (as shown in figure 5 and 6) from inhabitants of study area with field survey.

Location Arsenic 5 s i

s 4 o c n i c

e 3 s r A f

o 2 s t n e i t

a 1 P

i i i a k a t y i a k r a k e 5 0 gh h k H n v r c r n a t ot r ab an U r ad a l on n r t 0 1 a ic er w a u o h w p er o u l t P a o Z a t w a a . . h M o R p l c o h b p a u P a w al o P G 0 0 B g B C T s B Ic T k i B l T p e R z n T r i i a en n a r a L d a j s i b a W a o k m B en h a a L o h la a r av a er d s k a e s b m h t o g a R u S h p d a d r l r u o o m u i o R a n Y a G u a H J K h M W d C S i B G H e i in e W W M an P ac P R Figure 5 Effects of Arsenic at Sample Locations (Computed by Mean Values)

9 Younes, Ghaffar & Shafiq

n 3 a e M 2

i i i t i r h h k H n v ra ck ra n a ty t ra b n U rk d a la n n rk te g c r M w a u o h w p r o u l a ta P a a Z a to w a a a i e o R p l c o h e o p a u P o w l o P G B h B C T s B c T k ib B l T p R a n a T r i i g n n I a L a j se i z a k m a n e a a ar L d h la a r v b r W a so k a B e sh b m h t o g a R u a Sa e d d a d re l r u o o u i o R h p n Y a u a H Jo K m W d C S a i B G G H h M i n W Arsenic e n i e W a P ac M P R 0.05 0.10 Figure 6 Patients of Arsenicosis at Sample Locations (Computed by MeanValues)

CONCLUSION The concentration of arsenic in water samples was greater than 0.05 mg/L at eight locations as shown in figure 3 and 4 (Yakki Gate, Green Town, Dars Bary Mian, Mehmood Booti, Windsor Park, Baghbanpura, Pani wala Talab and Ichhra). The deleterious effects of high concentration of arsenic were investigated from inhabitants of study area. Its effects were quite obvious in adult age group and especially in females. The numbers of patients of arsenicosis were more at those locations where people were using untreated public water supply. The results of research express the positive correlation between high concentration of arsenic and the number of patients of arsenicosis at sample sites as shown in figure 5 and 6. The findings identified that exposure to arsenic is a major factor which is contributing to bad effects on human health.

REFERENCES Ahmad N 1995 Ground water resources of Pakistan. Shahzad Nazir Publishers, Pakistan. Berg M, Tran H C, Nguyen TC, Pham H V, Schertenleib R & Giger W 2001 Arsenic contamination of ground water and drinking water in Vietnam: A human health threat, Environmental Science and Technology, DOI: 10.1021/es010027y 10 Pakistan Geographical Review, Vol.70, No.1, June. 2016, PP 01-10

Crabill C, Donald R, Snelling J, Foust R & Southam G 1999 The impact of sediment fecal coliform reservoir on seasonal water quality in Oak Creek Arizona.Water Research,33(9). 2163-2171, http://www.deepdyve.com/lp/elsevier. Environment Protection Agency 2000 National Water Quality Inventory, 1998 Report to Congress, Ground Water and Drinking Water Chapters. Ground water quality, USA. Gray N F 2010 Water Technology: An Introduction for Environmental Scientists and Engineers. Third edition, published by Elsevier, London. Kanwal S, Gabriel H F, Mahmood K, Ali R, Haidar & Tehseen T 2015 Lahore’s Ground Water Depletion-A Review if the Aquifer Susceptibility to Degradation and its Consequences. Technical Journal, Vol.20, No.1, UET Taxila, Pakistan. Kupchella C E & Hyland M C 1992 Environmental Secience: Living within the system of nature. 3rd edition, Prentice Hall. Naseem M, Farooqi A, Masih D, Anwar M 2001 Investigation of toxic elements in the ground water of kalalanwala area near Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. Abstracts of Geosas III held at Lahore Pakistan September 23e27, 2001. Paul B K 2011 Natural Disasters and Environmental Hazards: Contexts, Perspectives and Management, Wiley publications. Qureshi A 2014 Situation Analysis of the water resources of Lahore. Switchasia, Pakistan. Shahid M A K, Ahmad N, Hussain K & Naseem S 2013 Compound phase analysis of solid aerosols collected from different locations of Faisalabad and Lahore using Matrix-Flushing Method. Peak Journal of Physical and Environmental Science Research 1(5) 54-65 World Health Organization 2011 Guidelines for drinking-water quality, 4th Edition.