Bacteriological Quality of Drinking Water Supplies in Different Areas of Lahore

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the bacteriological quality of drinking water in different areas
of Lahore.
Method: It was a cross-sectional study conducted from April 2021 to September 2021. A total of 150 water
samples were collected from different localities of the Lahore city with different socio-economic conditions.
The samples were collected in sterilized containers from water taps and filtration units and brought to the
laboratory within two hours of collection. Membrane filtration technique was used to determine the presence
of total coliforms and faecal coliforms.
Results: Tap water samples positive for bacterial contamination were 74 (86.0%) of the 86 samples tested
and from the filtration unit, out of the 64 samples 38 (59.3%) tested positive for contamination with highly
significant difference between contamination rates of tap water and water from filtration unit (p value
<0.001). Bacterial contamination was highest in areas with low socioeconomic status, 91.9%, followed by
65.5% in intermediate socioeconomic status and 56.6% in areas with high socioeconomic status. The
difference was statistically significant between areas with low and high socioeconomic status (p<0.001).
Conclusion: A considerable number of water samples in Lahore didn't meet the standard guidelines and thus
highlights the importance of strict monitoring and control systems.

How to cite: Hameed F, Cheema KH, Anwar MS, Rauf M, Sarwar A, Sattar A. Bacteriological Quality of Drinking Water
Supplies in Different Areas of Lahore. Esculapio - JSIMS 2022;18(03):287-291