Drinking Water Quality Status & Treatment needs for Drinking Water Supply: A Case Study

Abstract

To know the quality of water supplied for drinking purpose at Bhisi village, Chandrapur district, in Maharashtra, India a study was undertaken for raw water quality and also at water treatment plant. People residing in this village are dependent on Dhaparla reservoir (surface water) for their drinking water source.  However, water quality has become a serious concern due to high turbidity and the presence of yellowish colour in the water sample, which persists even after treatment. Turbidity was found to be 40 NTU in the Dhaparla reservoir before treatment. To resolve this issue, a jar test study was conducted by using different dosages of coagulants and disinfectants by which turbidity was reduced up to 17.3 NTU after the treatment of appropriate dosing of Poly Aluminium Chloride (PAC) and bleaching powder. Though turbidity of the water sample surpassed allowable limits which is the false turbidity caused by algal growth (blue-green algae). The O&M of the water treatment plant become a challenge due to turbidity of raw water. Bacterial contamination in the water samples is attributed to unprotected catchment and due to animal grazing, bird droppings, open defecation. en-route contamination like pipeline leaks. The study emphasises the necessity of protecting raw water sources, optimising Water Treatment Plant (WTP) operations, and improving disinfection practices in order to supply safe drinking water to the community.