A Survey of Physical, Chemical and Microbial Quality of Drinking Water in Ahvaz Compared to the Drinking Water Standards in Year 2016-2017

The physical, chemical and microbial properties of water are the criteria to consider it as drinking water quality. Unfavorable changes in such parameters may threat consumers' health. The aim of this study is to give a clear view of physical , chemical and microbial quality of distribution network drinking water in Ahvaz and compare with national and WHO standards. This study was a cross- sectional survey based on 48-week sampling program in No.1 , 2,3,4and 5 Ahwaz water treatment plants were conducted and six points of water distribution networks.Water of analyses were done according to standard methods. 9 tubeof fermentation method was used to determine fecal and total coliform bacteria. The mean values of measured parameters were as follow: electrical conductivity 2282.5 μs/cm, turbidity 2.3 NTU, pH 7.8, alkalinity 144.8 and hardness 535.5 mg/L as CaCO3, calcium 137.2, magnesium 46.3 , chloride 473.2, sodium 311.2, residual chlorine 1, TDS 1382.7, fluoride 0.53, nitrate 6.7 and sulphate 370.2 mg/L. Total coliform (0), fecal coliform (0) MPN/100 ml. Quality of water from Drinking Water in Ahvaz was not problematical from health point of view. Except EC, hardness , sodium and sulphate all cited results met the national and WHO standards.