Comprehensive assessment of the quality and safety of domestic and drinking water in the Almalinsky district of Almaty

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32523/4ap9mf35

Keywords:

domestic and drinking water, water quality, sanitary and hygienic indicators, oxidizability, hardness, toxic elements, microbiological safety

Abstract

This study presents a comprehensive assessment of household and drinking water quality within the centralized water supply system of the Almalinsky district of Almaty. The primary objective was to perform an integrated multi-parameter evaluation of drinking water safety and quality by combining organoleptic, physicochemical, toxicological, and microbiological indicators within a unified analytical framework.

Organoleptic characteristics were determined in accordance with current sanitary standards. Physicochemical parameters, including total mineralization, hardness, chloride, nitrate and nitrite content, alkalinity, pH, and permanganate oxidizability, were analyzed using gravimetric, titrimetric, and complexometric methods. Toxicological indicators were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry following acid mineralization. Microbiological safety was evaluated by determining total viable count and the presence of indicator organisms (Escherichia coli, total coliform bacteria, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa).

The results demonstrated compliance of most parameters with established sanitary and hygienic standards. Concentrations of chlorides (29.35–35.75 mg/l), nitrates (5.0–5.7 mg/l), and nitrites (2.7–3.0 mg/l) were significantly below maximum permissible levels. Heavy metal concentrations were within regulatory limits. Water oxidizability ranged from 3.2 to 5.2 mg O2 /l, indicating a low content of oxidizable organic substances. An elevated chromium concentration (0.8 mg/l) was identified, slightly exceeding permissible values and requiring periodic monitoring.

Overall, the integrated assessment confirms that drinking water in the Almalinsky district is characterized by satisfactory physicochemical and microbiological quality and is suitable for domestic and drinking use without additional treatment.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

  • Gulnar Bugubaeva, JSC “Almaty Technological University”

    Сandidate of Chemical Sciences, Assistant of Professor

  • Sandugash Abilkasova, JSC “Almaty Technological University”

    Сandidate of Technical Science, Associate Professor 

  • Mariya Suleimenova, JSC “Almaty Technological University”

    Candidate of Chemical Sciences, Associate Professor

  • Zhanat Shaikhova, JSC “Almaty Technological University”

    Master of Technical Sciences, Senior Lecturer

  • Zhamila Alimkulova, JSC “Almaty Technological University”

    Master of Technical Sciences, Senior Lecturer

References

1. Azat, S., Kabdrakhmanova, S., Kabdrakhmanova, A., Abdiev, K., Aryp, K., Kuldeev, E., Khalkhabay, B., Sultakhan, Sh., & Rush, A. (2023). Quality indicators of drinking water of the Maisky district of the Pavlodar region of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Kachestvennye pokazateli pit'evoj vody Majskogo rajona Pavlodarskoj oblasti Respubliki Kazahstan in Russian). Bulletin of the NNC RK, 2, 25-32. https://doi.org/10.52676/1729-7885-2023-2-25-32 DOI: https://doi.org/10.52676/1729-7885-2023-2-25-32

2. Bologan, V., Scurtu, R., Curteanu, M., Ciobanu, V., Trafail, S., & Ciobanu, E. (2025). Evaluation of the chemical composition of drinking water from different sources. French-Ukrainian Journal of Chemistry, 13(2), 58-74. https://doi.org/10.17721/fujcV13I2P58-74 DOI: https://doi.org/10.17721/fujcV13I2P58-74

3. Clark, R. M., & Sivaganesan, M. (2002). Predicting chlorine residuals in drinking water: Second order model. Journal of water resources planning and management, 128(2), 152-161. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9496(2002)128:2(152) DOI: https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9496(2002)128:2(152)

4. Deborde, M., & Von Gunten, U. R. S. (2008). Reactions of chlorine with inorganic and organic compounds during water treatment - kinetics and mechanisms: a critical review. Water research, 42(1-2), 13-51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2007.07.025 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2007.07.025

5. Gunnarsdottir, M. J., Gardarsson, S. M., Figueras, M. J., Puigdomènech, C., Juárez, R., Saucedo, G., Arnedo J., Santos J., Monterio S., Avery L., Pagaling E., Allan R., Abel L., Eglitis J., Hambsch B., Hügler M., Rajkovic A., Smigic N., Udovicki B., Albrechtse H., & Hunter, P. (2020). Water safety plan enhancements with improved drinking water quality detection techniques. Science of the total environment, 698, 134185. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.134185 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.134185

6. Gutiérrez-Capitán, M., Brull-Fontserè, M., & Jiménez-Jorquera, C. (2019). Organoleptic analysis of drinking water using an electronic tongue based on electrochemical microsensors. Sensors, 19(6), 1435. https://doi.org/10.3390/s19061435 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/s19061435

7. Holcomb, D. A., & Stewart, J. R. (2020). Microbial indicators of fecal pollution: recent progress and challenges in assessing water quality. Current environmental health reports, 7(3), 311-324. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40572-020-00278-1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40572-020-00278-1

8. Drinking water. Hygienic requirements for the quality of bottled water. Quality control. SanPiN 2.1.4.1116-02. https://online.zakon.kz/Document/?doc_id=30175838&pos=4;-106#pos=4;-106

9. Isaev, A., Sadigova, S., Nagiyeva, I., & Bakhtiyarova, S. (2025). Bu assessment of organoleptic and chemical parameters of drinking water. Norwegian Journal of development of the International Science No, 156, 63. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15397799

10. Jumagulov, A., Nikolayenko, A., & Mirkhashimov, I. (2009). Water quality standards and norms in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The regional environmental center for Central Asia (CAREC), Almaty, KZ. https://www.cawater-info.net/water_quality_in_ca/files/kazakhstan_en.pdf

11. Villaescusa, I., & Bollinger, J. C. (2008). Arsenic in drinking water: sources, occurrence and health effects (a review). Reviews in Environmental Science and Bio/Technology, 7(4), 307-323. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11157-008-9138-7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11157-008-9138-7

12. Khan, W. A., Ali, S., & Shah, S. A. (2022). Water pollution: sources and its impact on human health, control and managing. J. Int. Coop. Dev, 5(1), 69. https://doi.org/10.36941/jicd-2022-0005 DOI: https://doi.org/10.36941/jicd-2022-0005

13. Kristanti, R. A., Hadibarata, T., Syafrudin, M., Yılmaz, M., & Abdullah, S. (2022). Microbiological contaminants in drinking water: current status and challenges. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 233(8), 299. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-022-05698-3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-022-05698-3

14. Lou, J. C., Lee, W. L., & Han, J. Y. (2007). Influence of alkalinity, hardness and dissolved solids on drinking water taste: a case study of consumer satisfaction. Journal of environmental management, 82(1), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2005.11.017 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2005.11.017

15. Li, P., & Wu, J. (2019). Drinking water quality and public health. Exposure and Health, 11(2), 73-79. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12403-019-00299-8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12403-019-00299-8

16. Madhav, S., Ahamad, A., Singh, A. K., Kushawaha, J., Chauhan, J. S., Sharma, S., & Singh, P. (2019). Water pollutants: sources and impact on the environment and human health. Sensors in water pollutants monitoring: role of material, 43-62. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-0671-0_4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-0671-0_4

17. Moskvichev E. V., Moskvichev A. V., & Shevtsov I. M. (2013). Water chemistry and microbiology: guidelines for laboratory work (laboratory practical training) (Himiya vody i mikrobiologiya: metodicheskie ukazaniya k laboratornym rabotam (laboratornomu praktikumu) in Russian). Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation, Volgograd State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering. https://vgasu.ru/attachments/oi-moskvicheva-01.pdf

18. Manna, A., & Biswas, D. (2023). Assessment of drinking water quality using water quality index: a review. Water conservation science and engineering, 8(1), 6. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41101-023-00185-0 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41101-023-00185-0

19. Osipenko, V. O., Balakina, M. N., Kucheruk, D. D., & Goncharuk, V. V. (2014). Water purification of nitrates with their deep concentration by the method of electrodialysis. Journal of Water Chemistry and Technology, 36(2), 75-79. https://doi.org/10.3103/S1063455X14020052 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3103/S1063455X14020052

20. Regulation. On approval of the hygienic standards for safety indicators of domestic, drinking, and cultural and household water use (Ob utverzhdenii gigienicheskih normativov pokazatelej bezopasnosti hozyajstvenno-pit'evogo i kul'turno-bytovogo vodopol'zovaniya in Russian) https://adilet.zan.kz/rus/docs/V2200030713

21. Richiardi, L., Pignata, C., Fea, E., Bonetta, S., & Carraro, E. (2023). Are indicator microorganisms predictive of pathogens in water? Water, 15(16), 2964. https://doi.org/10.3390/w15162964 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/w15162964

22. Rocha, F. C., Andrade, E. M., & Lopes, F. B. (2015). Water quality index calculated from biological, physical and chemical attributes. Environmental monitoring and assessment, 187(1), 4163. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-014-4163-1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-014-4163-1

23. Wei, H., Qiu, H., Liu, J., Li, W., Zhao, C., & Xu, H. (2025). Evaluation and source identification of water pollution. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 289, 117499. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.117499 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.117499

24. Sultangazieva, G. (2024). Study on the level of chemical pollution of water resources in Almaty (Issledovanie urovnya zagryazneniya himicheskimi veshchestvami vodnyh resursov goroda Almaty in Russian). Bulletin of the NAS RK. Series of Chemistry and Technology, 1, 54-69. https://doi.org/10.32014/2024.2518-1491.207 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32014/2024.2518-1491.207

25. Toguzbaeva, K. K., Myrzakhmetova, Sh. K., Niyazbekova, L. Zh. Orakbay, L. S., Zhunistayev, D. D., Seiduanova, L. B., Saylybekova, A. K., Smagulov, A. B., Sumenova, K. A., & Sabirova, G. R. (2014). Hygienic assessment of the impact of the quality of household and drinking water supply on the health of the rural population of the Almaty region (Gigienicheskaya ocenka vliyaniya kachestva hozyajstvenno-pit'evogo vodosnabzheniya na zdorov'e sel'skogo naseleniya Almatinskoj oblasti in Russian). Bulletin of the Kazakh National Medical University, 3-3, 33-38.

26. Veríssimo, M. I., Oliveira, J. A., & Gomes, M. T. S. (2007). Determination of the total hardness in tap water using acoustic wave sensors. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 127(1), 102-106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2007.07.006 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2007.07.006

27. Wen, X., Chen, F., Lin, Y., Zhu, H., Yuan, F., Kuang, D., Jia, Z., & Yuan, Z. (2020). Microbial indicators and their use for monitoring drinking water quality-A review. Sustainability, 12(6), 2249. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12062249 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su12062249

28. Wollin, K. M., & Dieter, H. H. (2005). Toxicological guidelines for monocyclic nitro-, amino-and aminonitroaromatics, nitramines, and nitrate esters in drinking water. Archives of environmental contamination and toxicology, 49(1), 18-26. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-004-0112-2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-004-0112-2

29. Yuan, T., & Pian, Y. (2023). Hospital wastewater as hotspots for pathogenic microorganisms spread into aquatic environment: A review. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 10, 1091734. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2022.1091734 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2022.1091734

30. Zamora-Ledezma, C., Negrete-Bolagay, D., Figueroa, F., Zamora-Ledezma, E., Ni, M., Alexis, F., Victor, H., & Guerrero, H. (2021). Heavy metal water pollution: a fresh look about hazards, novel and conventional remediation methods. Environmental Technology & Innovation, 22, 01504. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eti.2021.101504 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eti.2021.101504

Downloads

Published

2026-04-03

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Comprehensive assessment of the quality and safety of domestic and drinking water in the Almalinsky district of Almaty. (2026). Journal of Ecology and Sustainability, 154(1), 42-54. https://doi.org/10.32523/4ap9mf35

Similar Articles

1-10 of 14

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.

Most read articles by the same author(s)