Abstract

This study was driven for analyzing drinking water quality of three upazillas at Noakhali district in Bangladesh. Nine different areas drinking water sample were collected from three upazilas (upazilas-sadar, Kabirhat upazilas, Chatkhil upazilas). Physical & chemical parameters of the collected samples like pH, electrical conductivity, salt, TDS, chloride-ion, iron content was measured and microbial parameters like Total Viable Bacterial Count (TVBC), Most Probable Number (MPN) of coliforms, E. coli, Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, Enterobacter aerogenes were also detected. All the parameters were compared with WHO drinking water quality standard ranges to understand the condition of drinking water in these areas. This study showed the pH of Chatkhil upazila was comparatively lower (6.18) than other upazilas. Electrical conductivity was also lower (252.1 μS/cm) in Chatkhil than other upazilas. Salt volume was comparatively higher (554.33 ppm) in sadar upazila sample than others. TDS of all upazila samples were in acceptable range. Chloride-ion was very much higher (7326.33 mg/L) in upazila-sadar. Iron content was mostly (3 mg/L) in Chatkhil upazila. Total bacterial load was comparatively higher (7.13 × 106 CFU/mL) in Kabirhat upazila. Most Probable Number (MPN) of coliforms were comparatively higher (24.67 number of coliforms/100 mL) in upazila-sadar than others. This study also showed the water samples that were collected almost all were contaminated by E. coli bacteria without supply water in upazila-sadar. As a result, water was not suitable for drinking. Water purification is very urgently needed for saving people from water borne diseases. So necessary steps should immediately be taken for purifying the sources of drinking water.

Keywords: Physical and chemical parameters; Chloride-ion; Most probable number; Serial dilution; coliforms; E. coli