Physical and Bacterial Parameters of Well Water in Selected Rural Households of Mangaluru, Karnataka, India: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Water is one of the important natural resources available for mankind for its survival. In rural Karnataka, there are 1,182,990 wells, out of which 131,305 are covered wells, and 1,051,685 are uncovered. This highlights the threat to safe and potable drinking water. Aim: To assess the physical, chemical, and microbiological qualities of well water situated in the field practice area of Mangaluru, Karnataka, India. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the year 2019, between July and August, in the rural area of Kinya Panchayat, Ullal Taluk, Dakshina Kannada District. This area serves as the field practice area of Yenepoya Nursing College, Yenepoya deemed to be University. This pilot project was a timebound study, and all twenty wells available were conveniently included in the study and comprised dug and ring residential and government wells utilised by residents for drinking and domestic purposes. Water collection followed World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines. Baseline data included the age of the wells, colour, odour, and chlorination of the well water. Chemical parameters such as pH levels and bacteriological assessments to identify the presence of Escherichia coli, H2 S, and Most Probable Number (MPN) bacterial counts were conducted using laboratory tests. Results: The colour of all 20 (100%) well water sources met WHO standards. The water was odourless in all 20 (100%) sources. The mean age of the wells was five years. The majority, 17 (85%) of the wells, were never chlorinated. Moreover, 17 (85%) of the well water sources had a pH level of ≤7, while 3 (15%) had a pH level of >7. E. coli bacteria were present in threefourths of the well water (17 wells, 85%). No other organisms were found during testing. Ten (50%) of the well water sources had a bacterial count of 351-550 MPN {Most Probable Number (MPN) of bacteria} per 100 mL, 7 (35%) had a count of 151-350 MPN per 100 mL, and 3 (15%) had a count of less than or equal to 150 MPN per 100 mL. The results indicate that 17 (85%) of the wells’ water was not satisfactory for potable purposes, while 3 (15%) were deemed satisfactory. Conclusion: Water sources in the studied area were found to be contaminated, with most of the well water sources not meeting satisfactory potable standards. This underscores the importance of raising awareness, implementing routine monitoring, and conducting consistent and periodic examinations of drinking water, as well as disinfection processes, to address this issue.