Abstract: The quality of tap water from water supplies from 14 districts of
Kerala state, India was studied. Parameters like pH, water temperature, total
dissolved solids, salinity, nitrates, chloride, hardness, magnesium, calcium,
sodium, potassium, fluoride, sulphate, phosphates, and coliform bacteria were
enumerated. The results showed that all water samples were contaminated by
coliform bacteria. About 20% of the tap water samples from Alappuzha and 15%
samples from Palakkad district are above desirable limits prescribed by Bureau
of Indian Standards. The contamination of the source water (due to lack of
community hygiene) and insufficient treatment are the major cause for the
coliform contamination in the state. Water samples from Alappuzha and Palakkad
have high ionic and fluoride content which could be attributed to the geology
of the region. Water supplied for drinking in rural areas are relatively free
of any contamination than the water supplied in urban area by municipalities,
which may be attributed to higher chances of contamination in urban area due to
mismanagement of solid and liquid wastes. The study highlights the need for
regular bacteriological enumeration along with water quality in addition to
setting up decentralised region-specific improved treatment system.
Keywords: Tap-water quality, drinking water quality, Kerala, fluoride, Alappuzha, Palakkad
