Physicochemical and microbiological characteristics assessment of groundwater quality in Sindh Province, Pakistan

Groundwater is a major source drinking water, especially in areas such as Sindh Province, Pakistan. At the same time, growing pollution caused by anthropogenicactivities, especially the effects of raising livestock and poor treatment of sewage, puts the water at risk and brings serious public health risks. In this study we analyzed groundwater quality in District Naushahro Feroze, Sindh, by investigating physicochemical parameters, heavy metals, and microbial contamination among households with and without animal farms. The research intended to measure pH, Electric conductivity, Total dissolved solids, turbidity, hardness, ammonia, salinity, arsenic, lead, copper, zinc in the groundwater samples, analysis for bacteria (total coliform, fecal coliform, Escherichia coli) and use molecular technique for waterborne viruses (Rotavirus A and Norovirus GI/GII). Information on where and how much the water was polluted was created by using QGIS and the Water Quality Index (WQI). 13 hand pump groundwater samples were collected from household with animal farms, as well as 13 hand pump groundwater samples were collected from household without animal farms. For the analysis of physicochemical, heavy metals, microbes and viruses, laboratory methods following The APHA standard methods Including turbidity (Lovibond TB-210IR), total hardness (EDTA titration), and ammonia (Hach DR1900) were used in the laboratory analysis at USPCAS-W, MUET, as well as field instruments (HANNA HI99301 Total dissolved solids meter, HANNA HI 8464 pH meter) and for molecular detection RT-PCR tests were also conducted. Mann-Whitney U tests and correlations with Pearson were conducted to determine how various groups and parameters were related. Results showed that pH was sufficiently neutral to alkaline (average 7.25 for farm households and 7.48 for non-farm). However, both groups had high salinity and variousion levels, with average Electric conductivity values of 1255.38 µS/cm (farm) and 1694.69 µS/cm (non-farm) and average Total dissolved solids values of 803.42 mg/L (farm) and 1084.46 mg/L (non-form) The turbidity of the samples was measured as 2.96 NTU (farm) and 3.20 NTU (non-farm), both below the allowed limit. Lead was measured at a harmfully high level only a couple of times (at a maximum of 0.05 mg/L). Higher presence of total coliform, fecal coliform and Escherichia coli were found in homes with animal farms (88.31, 27.08 and 5.54 CFU/100 mL) and these microbes differed significantly from those in non-farm households (16.30, 5.00 and 1.12 CFU/100 mL) (p < 0.05). RT-PCR could not detect Rotavirus A or Norovirus GI/GII. Samples from households with animal farms were found to have poor or very poor WQI scores in 61.54% of cases, which indicate for treatment before they are used. A spatial analysis revealed that those parts of the southern and southeastern regions had contaminated water, particularly because of agricultural runoff and poor waste control, while water in the north had less contamination due to the influence of the indus River. The boxplots revealed that animal farms had both greater median values and wider ranges for microbial contamination, electrical conductivity, Total dissolved solids, and salinity, possibly due to runoff from the farms. Escherichia coli levels were typically much greater in farm homes (up to 4–6 CFU/100 mL) than in households without farm, and some outliers were as high as 54 CFU/100 mL. The electrical conductivity and Total dissolved solids levels were both higher and more variable near animal farms, which may be caused by additional ionic input from individuals. Turbidity, hardness, and ammonia all varied, but they remained under the permissible values. Heavy metals almost remained below the recommended levels from WHO and Pakistan, but a few times lead values exceeded the standards. The findings demonstrate that better management of groundwater, better sanitation, and better controls on pollution, particularly near animal farms, are crucial. Having physicochemical, microbiological, molecular, and GIS methods together allows for reliable care and prevention in at-risk groups across Sindh and other regions worldwide.