Pathogen Contamination of Groundwater Affecting Drinking Water Quality with Potential Health Effects in Pavlodar Region, Kazakhstan
Azat S. Kuldeyev E. Khalkhabay B. Baikadamova A. Sultakhan S. Berndtsson R.
October 2024Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)
Water (Switzerland)
2024#16Issue 20
Groundwater is becoming increasingly important as surface water is decreasing and becoming more and more polluted. In particular, rural areas in the arid region of Central Asia face problems with both water quantity and quality. In view of this, we investigated the drinking water quality in the Maysky district in the Pavlodar region, Kazakhstan. The organoleptic properties, together with microbiological indicators, as well as organic and inorganic substances of drinking water before and after treatment, and tap water were studied and compared to recommended levels. The bacteriological indicators of the drinking water, especially, showed that the water represents health risks since the presence of bacteria of the genus Pseudomonas aeruginosa was confirmed. Water treatment reduced the total microbial count (TMC) indicator by 3.6 times. However, TMC still exceeded permissible levels in the tap water, indicating that the drinking water is sanitary and epidemiologically not acceptable. Pathogenic contamination of drinking water can severely affect weaker individuals and children. It has been estimated that the infant mortality rate in Kazakhstan is six times higher as compared to the EU and less than 30% of Kazakhstan’s population have access to safe water. Also, 50% of the population drink water that does not comply with the international standards, e.g., bacteriological levels. Thus, it is important to continuously monitor the groundwater quality to minimize health risks and work towards access to safe drinking water, in line with the UN SDGs.
drinking water quality , microbiological content , organoleptic pollutants , turbidity , water treatment
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Laboratory of Engineering Profile, Satbayev University, Satbayev Str., 22a, Almaty, 050013, Kazakhstan
Division of Water Resources Engineering, Centre for Advanced Middle Eastern Studies, Lund University, P.O. Box 118, Lund, SE-22100, Sweden
Laboratory of Engineering Profile
Division of Water Resources Engineering
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