APPRAISAL OF HEAVY METALS IN DRINKING WATER SOURCES ALONG THE RIVER INDUS DISTRICT DERA GHAZI KHAN

  Safe drinking water is very important for the existence of life on earth. Access to safe drinking water is basic human right. Water quality is declining day by day due to anthropogenic activities, which are causing various health related issues all over the world. Certain health problems are associated with the occurrence of heavy metals and other contaminations in water. The main purpose of this research work to evaluate and investigate the underground drinking water Sources of various pollutants like physico-chemical parameters (pH, Turbidity, Electric Conductivity and Total Dissolved Solid) and Heavy metals (Iron, Zinc, Manganese, Arsenic and Copper) along the western bank of River Indus in Dera Ghazi Khan District (30.2748° N, 70.2408° E), Punjab, Pakistan. Water samples were collected from rural areas most common sources of drinking water of three regions Kot Chutta (K), Dera Ghazi Khan (D) and Taunsa (T) and analyzed physico-Chemical (pH, Turbidity, Electric Conductivity and Total Dissolved Solids), heavy metals (Iron, Zinc, Manganese, Arsenic and Copper) using standard methods. Results of water analysis of certain physicochemical parameters (pH, Turbidity, Electric Conductivity and Total Dissolved Solids). Turbidity values are exceeding at points Ranjha ala, Chah sobar wala, Chah inayat wala, Khoo mooli wala and Basti Bohar in three regions were higher than the world health organization (WHO) Standard value and Pakistan environmental quality standards for drinking water (PEQSDW). Total Dissolved solids (TDS) and Electrical conductivity (E.C) exceeded the standards value at Jakkar Imam Shah, Dauo Wala, Dawood kot, Chah kalar wala, Chah kabeer wala, and Mari gharbi than the WHO and PEQSDW. Furthermore, heavy metals analysis results shown higher concentration of arsenic (As) 37.1 % samples exceeded than WHO standard value and only 3.22 % samples exceeded from PEQSDW standards value, while 1.61% samples exceeded the WHO and PEQSDW standard value but Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn) and Manganese (Mn) were within the standards limits. The heavy metals concentration in study area follows the order As>Cu>Fe>Zn>Mn. The groundwater drinking sources quality in these areas is poor and is not fit for drinking purposes, which is harsh condition for the human being of this area