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Profile photo of Ronny Berndtsson

Ronny Berndtsson

Professor, Dep Director, MECW Dep Scientific Coordinator

Profile photo of Ronny Berndtsson

Pathogen Contamination of Groundwater Affecting Drinking Water Quality with Potential Health Effects in Pavlodar Region, Kazakhstan

Author

  • Seitkhan Azat
  • Erzhan Kuldeyev
  • Bostandyk Khalkhabay
  • Ainur Baikadamova
  • Shynggyskhan Sultakhan
  • Ronny Berndtsson

Summary, in English

Groundwater is becoming increasingly important as surface water is decreasing and becoming more and more polluted. In particular, rural areas in the arid region of Central Asia face problems with both water quantity and quality. In view of this, we investigated the drinking water quality in the Maysky district in the Pavlodar region, Kazakhstan. The organoleptic properties, together with microbiological indicators, as well as organic and inorganic substances of drinking water before and after treatment, and tap water were studied and compared to recommended levels. The bacteriological indicators of the drinking water, especially, showed that the water represents health risks since the presence of bacteria of the genus Pseudomonas aeruginosa was confirmed. Water treatment reduced the total microbial count (TMC) indicator by 3.6 times. However, TMC still exceeded permissible levels in the tap water, indicating that the drinking water is sanitary and epidemiologically not acceptable. Pathogenic contamination of drinking water can severely affect weaker individuals and children. It has been estimated that the infant mortality rate in Kazakhstan is six times higher as compared to the EU and less than 30% of Kazakhstan’s population have access to safe water. Also, 50% of the population drink water that does not comply with the international standards, e.g., bacteriological levels. Thus, it is important to continuously monitor the groundwater quality to minimize health risks and work towards access to safe drinking water, in line with the UN SDGs.

Department/s

  • MECW: The Middle East in the Contemporary World
  • Centre for Advanced Middle Eastern Studies (CMES)
  • Division of Water Resources Engineering
  • LTH Profile Area: Water

Publishing year

2024-10

Language

English

Publication/Series

Water (Switzerland)

Volume

16

Issue

20

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

MDPI AG

Topic

  • Oceanography, Hydrology and Water Resources

Keywords

  • drinking water quality
  • microbiological content
  • organoleptic pollutants
  • turbidity
  • water treatment

Status

Published

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 2073-4441