Investigation of Drinking Water Quality in a Rural Area in Southern China

Objective To know the drinking water quality of rural areas in southern China.Methods In 2010,a total of 40 rural water plants water samples from 13 cities(counties,areas) in 7 representative districts in one of southern provinces were analyzed for all 106 indicators of the standards of drinking water quality.Results Among 40 water samples,15 were qualified,the qualified rate was 37.5%.The qualified rate of water samples from surface water was 42.86%(15/35) and all of the water samples from ground water were unqualified.The qualified rates of the completed treated water and treatment with single disinfection were 41.18%(14/34),20%(1/5) respectively;The qualified indicators ranked as chlorine dioxide [50%(7/14)],total coliforms [85.00%(34/40)],heat-resistant coliforms[87.50%(35/40)],chloral hydrate[87.50%(35/40)],aluminum[87.50%(35/40)],antimony[90.00%(36/40)],Giardia[92.50%(37/40)],chlorate[95.00%(38/40)],turbidity[95.00%(38/40)],free chlorine [95.80%(23/24)],thallium[97.50%(39/40)],sulfate[97.50%(39/40)],total hardness[97.50%(39/40)],sodium [97.50%(39/40)].Conclusion The qualified rate of drinking water quality is lower in investigated area,disinfectants and microbial contamination are the major health problem.