Functional status and water quality analysis of fifty-six water purification plants established at Gilgit District, Pakistan

The current study was aimed to check the functional status and water quality analysis of 56 water purification plants established at district Gilgit. Sampling activity for water quality analysis and functional status was checked during the second week of September 2014. Functional status observed by doing onsite field visits and inspecting various parts of the plant. Bacteriological analysis of 22 water samples showed that its quality was very poor, i.e. grossly polluted with fecal matter. Sample taken from Nagral Kulchiniote Girls Middle School Water Purification Plant and Jamia Mosque Soniyar Jaglote showed the highest level of colonies with fecal contamination. Other 20 showed colonies ranged from 9 to 77 in the water being supplied, which is a serious health hazard and can result different water borne diseases like typhoid, diarrhea, and gastroenteritis among masses. Poor sanitary and hygienic conditions around the plant site, leakage in pipes, improper management and malfunctioning of different parts of filtration plants are the main cause of the problem. Fifteen were not operational due to different reasons. Some have damaged supply line pipes, storage tank damage, not installation of filters, lack of water supply connections, compensation issues and job demands from land donors.