Women perception of water quality and its impacts on health in Gangapur, Pakistan

This study is an attempt to investigate the quality of drinking water used by community and their perception towards water quality. Water samples were collected from hand pump, motor pump and tube well. Total 160 households were surveyed to check their perception against drinking water quality. The results showed the values of bacteriological parameter fecal coliform were above WHO guidelines which made water unfit for drinking purposes. The community was unaware of the quality of water they were drinking. Women with higher education had perception of smell (F = 3.51, p<0.01), taste (F = 3.10, p<0.05) and turbidity in water (F = 5.34, p<0.01). Incidence of water borne diseases especially in infants appeared to be common problem among the sampled households in the study region. Lack of proper water supply system, proper sanitation and drainage facility were the common and contributing to poor health of people.