Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the quality of water being supplied for drinking purposes to the residents of East Lahore. For this purpose six sampling locations were selected which included four sampling points from urban areas and two from the rural areas. Samples from the urban areas were collected from the source of supply (tube well), its respective filter plant and three house connections. For the assessment of water quality of the rural areas, samples were taken from three house connections of each sampling point. All these samples were tested for physical (turbidity and pH), chemical (hardness, total dissolved solids, sulfates, chlorides) and biological parameters (total coliform and fecal coliform). The results were compared with National Standards for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ). The results demonstrated that bacteriological parameters provide almost satisfactory status. However, minor issue of hardness and turbidity were found. At consumer end, 65% of the samples were found, bacteriologically contaminated; hence compulsory chlorination is recommended. Currently in these areas, people are using bores having maximum depth of 150 feet which causes physiochemical contamination.