Comparison of Physico-Chemical and Biological Characteristics of Water of Three Different Sources, River Neelum, Spring Water and Filter Plant

Abstract

Physico-chemical and biological characteristics of water from three different sources viz. spring water, water from river Neelum and domestically installed filter water, were studied during October 2009- January 2010. Temperature (o C) 6.82 ± 0.67, 21.8 ± 0.83, 14.17 ± 0.49, pH 7.86 ± 0.5, 7.68 ± 0.16, 7.33 ± 0.25; Dissolved oxygen (mg/l) 14.78 ± 0.6, 13.9 ± 0.2, 8.34 ± 0.17; Alkalinity (mMol/L) 1.05 ± 0.02, 2.85 ± 0.03, 0.85 ± 0.01; Chlorides (ppm), 13.9 ± 0.3, 24.8 ± 1.04, 14.5 ± 0.4; Ca++ (ppm), 96.2 ± 2.45, 33.9 ± 1.05, 30.4±1.3, Mg++ (ppm), 37.6±1.07, 29.4±0.5, 28.5±0.5. ANOVA and LSD Values were calculated and significant differences were observed among the temperature, dissolved oxygen, chloride ion, calcium ion and magnesium ion of river water, spring water and filter water. Spring water had higher concentration of chemicals and significantly differed from others two and considered as hard water. In biological characteristics, the spring water was highly contaminated as 66 bacterial colonies were counted in it which was followed by river water (11 colonies) and least colonies (5) were counted in filter water. Spring water is not suitable or safe for drinking due to its hardness and contamination.