Physical and Microbiological Analysis of Water from Different Sources of Karachi

Abstract

Objective: A number of diseases are caused by consuming water of poor quality. According to a community health 
study 30% of all reported cases of illnesses and 40 % of deaths in Pakistan are due to waterborne diseases. The 
purpose of the study was to i) to determine the physical quality and presence of total coliforms and Escherichia coli 
count and also ii)  to compare the coliform and Escherichia coli bacteria in drinking water of different towns of 
Karachi with WHO ‘s recommended values. 
Study Design: Retrospective Study.  
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted in the Department of Biochemistry in collaboration with 
Department of Microbiology, Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah postgraduate Medical Centre Karachi during 
the period of June 2007 to February 2008. 
Materials and Methods: Multiple water sample collected from 18 towns of Karachi by different sources like Piped 
water, Hand pumps, Mineral bottles and Filter plants. The 250 milliliters sample for microbiological analysis was 
collected to perform all the required analyses and to provide for any quality control need, split samples or repeat 
examination. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS version 11.0) used for data feeding and analysis. The 
results was given in the text as number and percentage for qualitative/categorical variables like E. Coli and Coliform 
and mean and standard deviation for quantitative variables like Physical parameters (pH, Temp, DO,  
Conductivity, TDS). 
Results: The pH in tap water samples ranged between 6.8 to 7.6. Temperature recorded at spot ranged between   25
32 ºc. The dissolved oxygen varied from 3.6 to 4.8 pm, its permissible limit is 4ppm. In 108 tap water samples MPN 
of coliform/100 ml water samples were < 10 in 21(19.4%) samples and > 10 in 87(80.6%) samples. Recovery of E. 
coli as indicator organisms of fecal pollution in different water samples were found. 
Conclusion: During the drinking water quality assessment a wide range of pollutions were found and generated 
very useful baseline information on the current pollution status of supplied water to Karachi which  indicates that  
Karachi is receiving highly polluted water.