Qualitative Analysis of Drinking Water for Pathogenic Bacteria of District Swabi, Pakistan

Abstract

This research work presents a study on drinking water quality in District Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan, which involved bacteriological analysis of drinking water for the presence of some pathogenic bacteria from different drinking water sources. Total 103 water samples were analyzed in which 95 (92.23%) samples were contaminated with pathogenic bacteria. The contamination was highest for Staphylococcus aureus (88.34%), followed by Salmonella sp. (68.9%) and least contamination was recorded for Pseudomonas aeruginosa (24.27%). Out of 99 bore water samples, over all contamination was 91.9% and 100% for well water. It is concluded that the drinking water of Swabi is contaminated with these pathogenic bacteria and is not safe for drinking purposes. Based on the results it is suggested that authorities should show responsiveness to supply safe water and suitable sanitary facilities to avoid epidemics of infectious diseases in future.