Physicochemical and Microbial Groundwater Quality Assessment and Evaluation in Noakhali Region, Bangladesh

Abstract

Groundwater is an essential and valuable natural source of drinking water. But sometime ground water contains different types of chemical or biological substance which make water unsuitable for consumption. Quality of the ground water varies in different location. The recent study emphasized on monitoring the present condition of groundwater in the coastal region of Noakhali. The study area covered 24 different locations of two large Upazila Subarnachar and Kabirhat of Noakhali District. Groundwater quality was examined by analyzing various physicochemical parameters and microbial parameters such as pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Salinity, Total Hardness, Potassium, Sulphate, Chloride ions, Total Coliform, Fecal Coliform, and Total Bacterial Viable Count. These parameters were compared with the drinking water quality standards recommended by WHO and Bangladesh local standards. From the analysis, it was observed that pH, Sulphate, Potassium were within the acceptable limit according to WHO and Bangladesh standards. But maximum tube-wells water contains huge amount of TDS (6040 mg/l), EC (1786µs/cm), Salinity (6.8%) and hardness (1050 mg/l), which is not safe for human health. From the correlation studies of the water quality parameters, relatively high positive correlation between some chemical parameters was found. And it signifies a common origin or progressive enrichment of both parameters. The analysis of biological parameters showed the presence of bacteria in many of the water samples. Maximum value of Total coliform found from the groundwater was TNTC and fecal coliform was 3×101 CFU/ml. According to WHO and Bangladesh standard the groundwater of this region is not suitable for drinking. So, some simple primary treatment is needed prior to use this water for drinking purposes and necessary steps should be taken for alternative safe source of drinking water in this region.