Assessment of Physico-Chemical and Microbiological Quality of Drinking Water in Three Upazilas of Noakhali District in Bangladesh

This study was driven for analyzing the drinking water quality of three upazillas at Noakhali district in Bangladesh. Nine different areas drinking water samples were collected from three upazilas (sadar-upazila, kabirhat upazila, Chatkhil upazila). Physical & chemical parameters of the collected samples like pH, electrical conductivity, salt, TDS, chloride-ion, iron content were measured and microbial parameters like Total Viable Bacterial Count (TVBC), Most Probable Number (MPN) of coliforms, E. coli, Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, Enterobacter aerogenes were also detected. All the parameters were compared with WHO drinking water quality standard ranges to understand the condition of drinking water in these areas. This study showed the pH of Chatkhil upazila was comparatively lower (6.18) than other upazilas. Electrical conductivity was also lower (252.1 μS/cm) in Chatkhil than other upazilas. Salt volume was comparatively higher (554.33 ppm) in sadar upazila sample than in others. TDS of all upazila samples were in an acceptable range. Chloride-ion was very much higher (7326.33 mg/L) in upazila-sadar. Iron content was mostly (3 mg/L) in Chatkhil upazila. Total bacterial load was comparatively higher (7.13 × 106 CFU/mL) in Kabirhat upazila. Most Probable Number (MPN) of Coliforms were comparatively higher (24.67 number of coliforms/100mL) in upazila-sadar than others. This study also showed the water samples that were collected almost all were contaminated by E. coli bacteria without supply water in upazila-sadar. As a result, water was not suitable for drinking. Water purification is very urgently needed for saving people from water-borne diseases. So necessary steps should immediately be taken for purifying the sources of drinking water.