Quality assessments of spring water available in various Districts of Azad Kashmir

Abstract

The study was conducted to find out the health of spring water available in different districts of Azad Jammu Kashmir. A total of 8 districts (Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Poonch, Sudhanati, Jhelum Valley, Bagh, Neelum, and Haveli) were selected where spring water is available and people are using that water for drinking purposes. Physiochemical analysis and microbiological analysis were monitored by using standard methods (PSQCA and WHO). The physiochemical analysis of most samples revealed the range as per the standard of PSQCA and WHO. On the other hand, in microbiological analysis, total plate count, coliform, and E. coli were found higher in districts Bagh and Haveli. The results of the microbiological analysis may be influenced by contamination during sample collection or by environmental circumstances.