Impact of drinking water quality on the health status of people in sopore tehsil of district baramulla (J&K, India)

Water is the basic resource necessary for sustaining all human activities. So its provision in desired quantity and quality is of utmost importance. One of the most serious environmental health problems faced globally especially by those living in developing regions is related to lack of clean water resources and sanitation facilities which is mainly caused through anthropogenic activities (Gunther et al, 2006).Waterborne borne diseases are a major concern globally and in particular in developing countries and its adverse impacts have taken a toll on human health. In the backdrop of this, study was proposed to make an assessment on the water quality of the study area and to find its impact on human health. Water samples taken from the different drinking water sources revealed low to heavily contaminated and not recommended for drinking purposes as per WHO standards. In the study water related diseases like acute diarrheal cases were found 24.36 percent, Hepatitis A 10.90 percent, Enteric fever 8.36 percent and other diseases (dermatitis, conjunctivitis and irritated bowl etc) were56.36 percent(computed field survey with medical records). So study was designed to assess the prevalence and establish the relationship between water sources and the incidence of water borne diseases.