Environ Geochem Health. 2025 Nov 20;48(1):8. doi: 10.1007/s10653-025-02860-8.
ABSTRACT
The rapid urbanization and industrialization in Pakistan have significantly escalated wastewater generation, much of which remains untreated and is discharged into rivers and canals. This study presents an innovative framework that integrates quantitative analysis of wastewater quality with qualitative insights from community attitudes, focusing on Abbottabad and Lahore City. Comprehensive evaluations of physico-chemical parameters like potential of hydrogen, chemical oxygen demand, total dissolved solids, turbidity, and electrical conductivity alongside microbial indicators such as coliform and E.coli, reveal critical insights into wastewater characteristics and treatment efficiency. Comparisons with World Health Organization standards expose substantial site-to-site variations, with several parameters exceeding permissible limits. Secondary treatment processes effectively mitigate TDS, EC, turbidity, and COD to compliant levels. While initial treatments reduce bacterial loads, regrowth during storage raises concerns about long-term microbial safety. Multivariate statistical analyses, including principal component analysis and Pearson correlation matrices, uncover strong interdependencies among parameters, such as inverse correlations between pH and both TDS and turbidity, and a perfect positive correlation between EC and TDS. Community surveys amplify the study’s scope, revealing widespread dissatisfaction with water and wastewater management, as 74% of respondents associate health issues such as diarrhea, kidney ailments, and vomiting with inadequate treatment systems. This study introduces the novel Enhanced Wastewater Quality Index (EWWQI), integrating both wastewater quality parameters and community perceptions. The Adjusted EWWQI score of 17.0 (poor) highlights the need for improved treatment processes and greater public trust in wastewater management. By integrating scientific evaluation with community perspectives, this study underscores the urgent need for enhanced treatment processes and sustainable management practices. The findings provide actionable insights for policymakers, paving the way for improved wastewater management and addressing critical environmental and public health challenges effectively.
PMID:41264103 | DOI:10.1007/s10653-025-02860-8
