MICROBIAL CONTAMINATION IN DRINKING WATER: A STUDY OF GOVERNMENT GIRLS DEGREE COLLEGE DARGAI MALAKAND AND SURROUNDING AREAS

Abstract

About 80% population of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) are using surface and ground water as prime source of drinking water. World health Organization (WHO) has been reported transmission of diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, dysentery and polio are linked with contamination of drinking water. Therefore, assessment of the prime source of drinking water in least developed areas gained significant importance. The present investigation aimed to assess the quality of drinking water and evaluate the contamination of microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) in drinking water sources at Dargai, Malakand and nearby places in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, between October 2021 and March 2022. The contamination level of the collected samples from different sources were determined through gram staining and other microbiological techniques. The results revealed the presence of microorganism, which consisted predominantly of cocci (81.81%) and Bacilli (9.09%). Among these, gram-positive accounted for 36.36%, while gram-negative microorganisms comprised 90.90%. Additionally, 72.72% of the microorganisms were identified as Fungi. The results revealed substantial microbial presence, including various bacterial and fungal species, indicating potential health risks. These findings highlight the critical need for enhanced water management planning and risk assessment of community water sources in Dargai Malakand and surrounding areas, and recommend further research by using advanced microbial identification techniques and evaluate the broader public health implications.