pH
pH has no direct adverse effect on health, however, according to WHO guidelines, the
maximum desirable limit of pH is 7.0 – 8.5 and the maximum permissible limit is 6.9 – 9.2
(Indian Standard Specification for Drinking Water 1983). USEPA established pH limits from
6.5 – 8.5. Waters with pH lower than 4 have a sour taste and above 8.5 an alkaline bitter taste.
High pH induces the formation of trihalomethanes, which are toxic (Garzon & Eisenberg
1998). pH below 6.5 starts corrosion in pipes, thereby releasing toxic metals such as Zn, Pb,
Cd and Cu, etc. Out of total 17 samples analyzed, 14 had pH values between 7 and 8.5. Three