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Water quality and health risks

physicochemical and biological parameters frequently water quality management framework. Implementing
exceed permissible limits, contributing to water these measures will significantly enhance drinking
pollution and rendering PWP water unsuitable for water safety and public health in Kushtia Municipality,
consumption. The WQI analysis indicates a substantial ensuring long-term sustainability and an improved
decline in water quality from WTPs to PWPs, with key quality of life for its residents.
parameters such as BOD , hardness, alkalinity, iron,
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temperature, and EC exceeding safe drinking water Acknowledgments
standards. High BOD and COD levels suggest severe
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organic contamination, potentially harboring pathogenic The authors would like to acknowledge the
microbes. The regression analysis identifies a slight Environmental Analysis Lab, Department of Geography
increase in WQI with distance, implying that factors and Environment, and Agricultural and Environmental
beyond distribution distance, such as microbial growth, Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology and Genetic
pipe conditions, and biofilm formation, contribute to Engineering, Islamic University, Kushtia, Bangladesh,
water quality deterioration within the supply network. for the instrumental facility.
In addition, the pollution index confirms that BOD ,
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hardness, alkalinity, temperature, and EC are the Funding
primary contributors to water pollution. The health
risk assessment indicates that iron contamination poses None.
minimal health concerns, while arsenic remains a
significant threat, particularly for children. Long-term Conflict of interest
exposure to arsenic-contaminated water is associated
with severe health conditions despite arsenic levels The authors declare there is no conflict.
generally complying with standard limits. However,
HQ values highlight potential chronic health risks, Author contributions
warranting continued monitoring and intervention.
The deterioration of water quality along the Conceptualization: Md. Anik Hossain, Md. Inzamul
distribution system points to ineffective management, Haque
aging infrastructure, and biofilm accumulation, Formal analysis: Md. Anik Hossain, Md. Asikur
all of which degrade water quality over time. In Rahman, Most. Atia Parvin, Abul Bashar
addition, PWPs, predominantly serving marginalized Investigation: Md. Inzamul Haque, Md. Anik Hossain
communities, are disproportionately affected by Methodology: Md. Anik Hossain, Md. Inzamul Haque
contamination, increasing vulnerability to waterborne Supervision: Md. Inzamul Haque
diseases. Writing – original draft: Md. Anik Hossain
Addressing these issues requires the implementation Writing – review & editing: Md. Inzamul Haque, Md.
of advanced treatment technologies, such as reverse Anik Hossain
osmosis, membrane filtration, and electrocoagulation, to
improve contaminant removal efficiency. Strengthening Availability of data
routine water quality monitoring, enforcing strict
regulatory compliance, and upgrading pipeline All relevant data are included in the paper.
infrastructure are essential measures to mitigate
contamination risks and ensure safe drinking water References
access. In addition, public awareness campaigns should
be conducted to educate communities on water safety 1. World Health Organization (WHO). Guidelines for
practices and proper storage methods. Policymakers Drinking-Water Quality. World Health Organization;
must allocate resources to support sustainable water 2022. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
books/NBK579465 [Last accessed on 2024 Jul 29].
management strategies, including real-time monitoring 2. Mateo-Sagasta J, Marjani Zadeh S, Turral H,
systems and the expansion of safe water access for Burke J. Water Pollution from Agriculture: A Global
marginalized populations. Review - Executive Summary. Rome, Italy, Colombo,
Future research should explore seasonal variations Sri Lanka: Food and Agriculture Organization of the
in water quality, pathogenic bacterial diversity, and United Nations (FAO), International Water Management
community perceptions to develop a comprehensive Institute (IWMI); 2017.

Volume 22 Issue 1 (2025) 79 doi: 10.36922/ajwep.8163