Analyses of sustainable indicators of water resources for redesigning the health promoting water delivery networks: A case study in Sahneh, Iran

Abstract

Healthy water is our prime demand however population explosion and industrialization have threatened the quality of water. Consequently, about a billion people in developing countries including Iran are struggling for a safe and sustainable water supply. Timely water sampling and analyses are critical to access and maintain healthy status. The current study investigates the state of water supply in 29 villages of Sahneh town and provides recommendations for maintaining good health. Water samples were extensively analyzed for the physical and chemical indexes using the EPA standards and the Iran national water standards (Table S1). The mean of pH, total dissolve solid, electrical conductivity, chloride concentration, sulfate, temperature, bicarbonate, total alkalinity, calcium hardness was 8.2, 326.5 mg/L, 422.4 mS/cm, 203 mg/L, 6.4 mg/L, 24.7 °C, 257.2 mg/L, 210.9 mg/L as CaCO3, 233.8 mg/L CaCO3, respectively that are within the permitted limit. Interactions between these factors were statistically analyzed to characterize the water samples. All sampled waters were probable to sediment according to the Langelier index (0.67 ± 0.20), corrosive according to aggressiveness (10.74 ± 0.40) and Puckhorius indexes (6.96 ± 0.63). Water samples also exhibited scaling therefore it is recommended to use cemented pipes for dispensing networks. Moreover, balancing pH, alkalinity, calcium levels and annual testing by the government should be considered to promote good health.