Assessment of Physical Characteristics and Fecal Contamination of Drinking Water in Tertiary Care Hospitals of Lahore

Abstract

Objective: To assess physical characteristics and fecal contamination of potable water in public
and private tertiary care hospitals of Lahore.
Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out in 25 tertiary care hospitals of Lahore (11
public and 14 private). 145 samples of water were collected from tube-wells, storage tanks,
filtration plants and end-user points in emergency and outpatient departments from all hospitals.
Physical characteristics were examined at the time of collection of samples. Chlorine estimation
was done by Lovibond Comparator. Temperature and pH was examined. Presence of E. coli was
detected by Multiple Tube Method. Results of fecal contamination were confirmed in Bacteriology
Laboratory of Institute of Public Health, Lahore. Data was entered in SPSS version 24.0 and
analyzed.
Results: Fecal contamination was present in 55.86% of all samples of water collected. Out of 70
samples of water taken from private hospitals, fecal contamination was present in 61.4% samples
as compared to 50.7% samples taken from public sector hospitals (p = 0.19). Overall, E. coli were
detectable in 37.9% samples whereas coliform organisms were seen in 17.9% samples.
Conclusions: The tertiary care hospitals, both public & private fail to provide safe drinking water
to the patients and their attendants. Fecal contamination of more than 50% of all samples points
towards the gravity of the situation and demands serious measures by the concerned authorities
to address the issue.