Physicochemical and microbiological quality of tanker waters in Bengaluru urban for safe water supply

Abstract

Water is an essential vital source for the sustainability of life, without which life is not possible. Increased population growth and economic development has caused excessive exploitation of water resources [1-3]. As a result of water demand spurred by population growth, urban water distribution systems are increasingly under stress [4,5]. Point sources of water such as bore wells, dug wells and protected springs represent a signi icant proportion of water supplies in water scarcity areas. Many people around the world rely on water supplied by tankers [6] and in many cases, the consumer will not be aware of the source of the water [7]. Water must be free of contamination at the time of sampling, as well as free from risk of future contamination [8]. Private water tankers have become more prominent in the water delivery supply chain which makes it especially challenging to ensure water quality and prevent the spread of waterborne illness. Previous studies considered the impact of water quality on human health [9,10]. Presence of coliform bacteria were detected in tanker water supplied water in earlier studies.