Water in Dimapur has high pH content

It was revealed in a series of sample tests of ground and surface water by a group of students of National Institute of Technology (NIT) Nagaland under the guidance of Dr Amrit Puzari, head of department of science and humanity, NIT in May, 2015.

The team tested samples of ground and surface water from nine major places of Assam’s Karbi Anglong district and Nagaland’s Dimapur district. Samples of ground water were collected from Manjha police station, surface water from Manja recreation park and Diphu town, ground water from Diphu town, Lahorijan, surface water from Padum Pukhuri village, surface water from Sukhovi village and two samples of ground water from Dimapur town and NIT Nagaland at Chumukedima.

Speaking to Nagaland Post on Tuesday, Dr Puzari said, “Hardness of water sample was determined by complexometric titration method using standard EDTA solution and Eriochrome Black T as indicator. Conventional titrimetric methods were used to determine the alkalinity of water samples. For pH measurement, EUTECH (pH 510 model) pH meter was used. The Thermo Scientific iCE 3000 Series Atomic Absorption Spectrophometer was used to determine arsenic concentration. Fluoride concentration was determined by using Thermo Scientific Orion Sure – Flow Fluoride electrodes (Model No. 9609 BNWP).”

Dr Puzari said that the pHs (power of hydrogen) are ranging from 6.13 to 8.64 while the permissible range of pH is 6.5 to 8.5. It is also apparent that except for sample Manja (Karbi Anglong) and sample from Sukhovi Village in Dimapur, pH is within permissible range. Sample of Manja is slightly more basic while sampleof  Sukhovi Village is slightly acidic. 

Dr Puzari also informed that the study revealed that the Fluoride content (F-) varies from 0.3 –2.5 ppm in all nine samples of ground and surface water they tested against WHO’s permissible limit of 1 – 1.5ppm.

For Dimapur district, Dr Puzari said it was observed in the study that all the samples of water had lower F- concentration which was quite below the standard lower limit. Very low value of F- concentration renders the drinking water unhealthy for drinking purpose. 

Particularly for Dimapur town, F- concentration was too low. For Karbi Anglong district, samples analyzed from different locations indicated that except for Manjha PS, other water sample contains insufficient amount of fluoride. Dr Puzari further said the water sample collected from Manjha police station contained excess amount of Fluoride. It was also observed in that the water quality in Karbi Anglong district was also not up to the mark. Insufficient amount of Fluoride may lead to health problems like dental caries and tooth decay. Again higher concentration of fluoride may result in dental and skeletal Fluorosis, he said.

Various forms of compounds such as Monomethylarsenic acid (MMAA), dimethylarsenic acid (DMAA) etc. are found to occur in deeper level of ground water. 

Consumption of arsenic via water cause arsenic poisoning or arsenicosis. Indian standard for Arsenic concentration in drinking water is 0.05 mg/L.11. Arsenic concentration for various water samples (excluding the surface water samples i.e. sample from Diphu town and sample from Sukhovi Village indicated that Arsenic concentration in two districts is quite below the permissible limit and there is no immediate threat from ground water Arsenic in these two districts. 

A comparison was made between the observed ranges of data for various quality parameters presented in this work with corresponding permissible limits separately for the two districts. 

It was revealed that Alkalinity for water samples from both the districts were even below the permissible limit. All water samples have total hardness below the permissible limit and therefore can be considered as safe for drinking. 

“Usually there are no any potential health hazards from consumption of hard water. Rather it can be considered as a potential source for calcium and magnesium required for the body”, he said adding that excess amount of hardness in drinking water might lead to some health problems. 

Excess intake of calcium interferes in the adsorption process of Iron, Zinc, Magnesium and phosphorous in the intestine. Increase in the amount of magnesium salts in the body may cause a change in bowel habits, he further said. 

Conductivity measurement of the water samples indicate appreciable concentration of dissolved ion. Except for sample Diphu town, other samples have electrical conductivity well within the range. Slightly higher concentration of dissolved ions can be predicted in this sample. Amount of total dissolved solids (TDS) in drinking water along with other parameters determines its aesthetic value. Drinking water samples having levels of TDS less than 300 mg/L are usually rated as excellent while water samples while those are having in the range 300 mg/L – 600 mg/L are rated as good. Accordingly sample No. Manja PS and Manja RS can be rated as excellent while others can be rated as good.

Dr Puzari said they have suggested that the authorities should improve the drinking water quality in Karbi Anglong district (Assam) and Dimapur district although no serious health issues were found. However excess fluoride concentration in water sample collected from Manjha definitely degrades the quality of drinking water in the area and necessary protective measures should be initiated at the earliest. Otherwise drinking water from the area cannot be considered as potable. 

Similarly very poor quantity of fluoride content in several of these water samples also indicates that quality of drinking water in those areas are not up to the mark and is an important aspect to be emphasized by public health organizations. 

To the end, the study suggested for a proper monitoring system for assessing the quality of drinking water from these areas at a particular interval of time.