Assessment of Biological Water Quality of India Mark-Ⅱ Hand Pumps of Allahabad District

摘要

The concept of safe drinking water assumes greater significance in countries like India where the majority of the population lives in villages where India Mark-Ⅱ Hand Pumps are the major source of drinking water. Consumption of drinking water contaminated with faecal originated pathogenic bacteria is mostly responsible for outbreak of many diseases in rural areas. The present study investigated the bacteriological quality of water samples collected from India Mark-Ⅱ Hand Pumps of 6 blocks of Allahabad district situated in alluvial zone. The samples were examined for bacteriological quality with the help of H2S vial, MPN & EMB Agar test. Hand pump risk assessment was quantified by making use of Sanitary Survey Templates prepared as per WHO and UNICEF guidelines. The condition of the hand pumps were then recorded along with photographs & geospatial coordinates of the site. The views of the residents were also taken for understanding behaviour regarding usage of water and templates were completed on the basis of their response. The laboratory results of examined water samples shows high MPN values of some specific hand pumps where surroundings were being used for animal habitats and toilet soak pits were within 3-10 metre distance. These results were in accordance with the high risk of contamination score recorded during sanitary survey. Out of total number of samples, 39% of the water samples showed positive H2S result & 14% showed positive EMB results during study.