Water Quality Assessment from Spring Source in Chitral Watershed of Northern Pakistan

Abstract

Availability of clean drinking water to the masses is one of the major challenges faced by developing countries, like Pakistan. Spring water is one of the major sources of water supply for the people dwelling in the northern Pakistan, including district Chitral. In many parts of Chitral, water from small natural springs remains the only source for water supply, however very little research data is available about the physical and biological characteristics of and its suitability as drinking water. In this research the water quality of thirty springs has been assessed through sample collection and analysis. The results have been statistically analyzed and compared with the World Health Organization (WHO) Standards for various physicochemical characteristics. The analysis has revealed that the springs provide good quality of water for the people but there is an urgent need for protection of such springs from surface runoff.