Evaluation on Drinking Water Quality in Changping District by Using a Water Quality Index Method

Objectives  To evaluate the quality of drinking water in Changping by using a water quality index method.

Methods  One hundred and twelve drinking water samples were collected both in dry and rainy season in 2014 from the water quality monitoring system in Changping. The data were evaluated by using water quality index (WQI) and five-color classification method.

Results  The average WQI values of drinking water samples collected from municipal, district and self-built waterworks were all lower than 0.50, which were better than those from rural waterworks (0.99). The quality of water samples collected during dry season (0.65) was slightly better than those collected in rainy season (0.78). The water quality of samples collected from the waterworks which had hygienic license (0.51) was superior to the waterworks which not had hygienic license (1.12). The quality of water samples treated by effective disinfection (0.50) was superior to those not treated by effective disinfection (0.98). The main unqualified indicators were total coliforms, nitrate, Escherichia coli, and the qualified rates were 80.3%, 95.5% and 97.3%, respectively.

Conclusions  The quality of drinking water was diverse in Changping district, the quality of drinking water from rural waterworks was unsatisfied. More emphasis should be put on the sanitary supervision of water quality, and water treatment technology should be improved.