Suitability of Drinking Water in Schools of Bengtol Block of Chirang District of Assam, India

Drinking water is one of the basic needs of life. Most drinking water in all parts is obtained from surface and ground water sources, both of which are being contaminated due to several reasons. Most of the diseases and deaths in the developing countries are caused due to consumption of contaminated water. Water samples from 20 different schools of Bengtol block of Chirang district were studied to assess the suitability of drinking water. A total of 19 different physico-chemical parameters including heavy metals and microbial organisms were studied. Sixty percent water samples were found to be acidic having pH value below 6.5. Thirty five percent of the water samples were found to be more turbid exceeding the permissible limit. In case of iron, 40% water samples had it in its desirable limit but in 25% water samples it was well above the permissible limit. Though in all water samples the heavy metals i.e., Arsenic and Chromium, were found to be below detection limit but Lead was detected in almost 50% water samples and in 20% it was above the permissible limit. Though in 45% water samples Cadmium was found to be below detection limit but in 55% water samples it was detected. Other parameters like TDS, TSS, Total Alkalinity, Calcium Hardness, Electrical Conductivity, Chloride, Sulphate, Flouride were within the permissible limit.