QUALITY ASSESSMENT AND QUANTIFICATION OF STRESSOR COMPONENTS IN DRINKING WATER RESOURCES OF HYDERABAD

Abstract

Drinking water is a vital factor of public health, yet millions in developing countries remain without reliable access. Hyderabad District and adjoining Jamshoro in Sindh, Pakistan, rely majorly on groundwater, surface water, and limited mineral water supplies. Rapid population growth, insufficient sanitation infrastructure, and poor regulation amplify the risk of water contamination. This research study evaluated 59 drinking water samples collected from several locations in Hyderabad and Jamshoro. Samples were inspected for physico-chemical parameters and microbiological indicators. Results were compared with the WHO and Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) guidelines. Findings revealed that turbidity surpassed 5 NTU in all samples, with surface water attaining >100 NTU. Groundwater was the most stressed, with electrical conductivity up to 6830 µS/cm, TDS up to 4450 mg/L, and hardness up to 2300 mg/L, all far above permissible limits. Chloride levels in some groundwater sources reached 1130 mg/L, while arsenic ranged from 5–100 µg/L, with several samples exceeding the WHO limit of 10 µg/L. Sodium, up to 233 mg/L, and potassium, up to 73 mg/L, also exceeded recommended thresholds in multiple samples. While pH remained within safe ranges (6.5–8.5), microbiological analysis revealed contamination in household connections as total and fecal coliforms were absent at the source but present at the point of use, signifying sewage intrusion through damaged pipelines. This research study validates that while surface and mineral waters occasionally meet chemical safety standards, groundwater quality is severely compromised, and distribution systems are a perilous point of contamination. These findings highlight a pressing need for improved water treatment, infrastructure rehabilitation, and severe regulatory enforcement to shield public health in Hyderabad and Jamshoro.