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ASSESSMENT OF QUALITY OF WATER AS PER AYURVEDA AND INDIAN

STANDARDS ON DRINKING WATER.

Article  in  WORLD JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES · August 2017

DOI: 10.20959/wjpps20178-9798

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 WORLD JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
Shukla et al. World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
SJIF Impact Factor 6.647

Volume 6, Issue 8, 567-571 Review Article ISSN 2278 – 4357

ASSESSMENT OF QUALITY OF WATER AS PER AYURVEDA AND

INDIAN STANDARDS ON DRINKING WATER.

Dr. Rakesh Shukla1*, Dr. Bhagwati Tripathi2 and Dr. Jinesh Jain3

1
Lecturer, Dept. of Swasthavritta, SKSS Ayurvedic Medical College, Ludhiana (Punjab).
2
Reader, Dept. of Kaya Chikitsa, Govt. (Auto.) Ayurveda College, Rewa (M.P.).
3
Reader & HOD, Dept. of Panchkarma, Govt. (Auto.) Ayurveda College, Rewa (M.P.).

Article Received on
31 May 2017,
Revised on 21 June 2017,
Accepted on 12 July 2017
DOI: 10.20959/wjpps20178-9798
ABSTRACT
The ancient Ayurvedic masters have recognized the importance of pure
water in the maintenance of good health. Economically a country is
pulled back when drinking water supply is not proper. Absence of
clean water and sanitation are major risk factors for ill health.

*Corresponding Author
Ayurvedic view on safe water standard is strikingly similar to that of
Dr. Rakesh Shukla the present concept of wholesome and palatable water described in
Lecturer, Dept. of modern medical texts. Water which is devoid of smell, taste, pacifies
Swasthavritta, SKSS
thirst, clean, cold, light & good for heart is called wholesome water. If
Ayurvedic Medical
one uses it for bathing or drinking purpose, he will be afflicted with
College, Ludhiana
(Punjab).
internal & external disease.

KEYWORDS: water quality, pollution, hygiene.

INTRODUCTION
Water is a basic need of human beings. For human beings water should be easily accessible,
adequate in quantity, free from contamination, safe and readily available throughout the year.
Environmental pollution is a major threat to community health. Environmental pollution
includes air, soil pollution as well as water pollution.

The ancient Ayurvedic masters have recognized the importance of pure water in the
maintenance of good health. Water has been recognized not only as making a positive
contribution to Man’s health and well being in assisting him to create a clean and healthy
environment but also a potential hazard when acting as a vehicle for water borne and water

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Shukla et al. World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

related diseases. Many verses in these works deal with the relationship between quality of
water and health.

Acharya Sushruta and Charaka respectively commented that if an organism fails to adjust
and adapt either due to some innate deficiencies or due to the overwhelming force of the
environment the result is the diseased condition.

Economically a country is pulled back when drinking water supply is not proper. Absence of
clean water and sanitation are major risk factors for ill health.[1]

The safety & accessibility of drinking water are major concern throughout the world. As all
sources are likely to be contaminated by toxic element like arsenic, fluoride and microbes etc.
health risk may arise from consumption of such water. At least 11% of the world population
is without the access to safe drinking water.[2] Hence water pollution is a basic cause for
major epidemic diseases e. g. Cholera, Typhoid, Diarrhoea, Hepatitis A etc.

Wholesome water
Water intended for human consumption should be both safe and wholesome. This has been
defined as water that is
a. free from pathogenic agents
b. free from harmful chemical substances
c. pleasant to the taste, i.e., free from colour and odour; and
d. usable for domestic purposes.

Water is said to be polluted or contaminated when it does not fulfil the above criteria. Water
pollution is a growing hazard in many developing countries owing to human activity. Without
ample and safe drinking water, we cannot provide health care to the community.

Indian Standards on Drinking Water Quality

Keeping in view requirement of preparing uniform drinking water quality monitoring
protocol, the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation (MDWS), Government of India
constitutes as expert group which prepared the protocol. BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards)
has set specifications in IS-10500 and subsequently the revised edition of IS 10500: 2012 in
/Uniform Drinking Water Quality Monitoring protocol.[3]

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Shukla et al. World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

[Table: 1] Microbiological Requirement in Drinking Water

Test parameter Acceptable limit
Escherichia coli Shall not be detectable in any 100 ml sample
Coli form bacteria Shall not be detectable in any 100 ml sample
Faecal streptococci and Shall not be detectable in any 100 ml sample
Staphylococcus aureus
Salmonella and Shigella Shall not be detectable in any 100 ml sample

[Table: 2] Physical Requirements in Drinking Water

Test parameter Acceptable limit
Odour Agreeable
Taste Agreeable
pH value 6.5 TO 8.5
Turbidity, NTU, Max 1
Total dissolved solids (TDS), mg/l 500

[Table: 3] General Parameters

Test parameter Acceptable limit
Total hardness as CaCO3, mg/l 200
Nitrate (as NO3), mg/l, Max 45
Fluoride (as F), mg/l, Max 1.0
Chloride (as Cl), mg/l, Max 250
Sulphate (as SO4), mg/l, Max 200
Alkalinity (as HCO3), mg/l, Max 200

Ayurvedic view on safe water quality

Acharya Charaka described the characteristics of contaminated water as: that is Pichhila
(viscous or oily), Krimi (contaminated with worms), Klinna (microorganisms), Patra-Shaival
(leaves), mud, Virasa (spoiled in taste) and Vivarna (discoloration), Durgandha (foul
smelling) and stagnant are unwholesome and unhealthy.[4]

This statement is strikingly similar to that of the present concept of wholesome and palatable
water described in modern medical texts as “To be wholesome water must be free from
disease causing organisms, poisonous substances, and excessive amount of mineral and
organic matter. To be palatable it must be significantly free from colour, turbidity, taste and
odour well aerated”.

Contaminated water as per Ayurveda

According to Acharya Sushrut, Water which is polluted with silt, Shaival (algae), Truna
(grass), Padma Patra (lotus), so that rays of sun, moon, or air does not enter into the water,
which is having undesirable odour, colour & taste is not fit for the use.[5]

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Shukla et al. World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

It is having six Doshas like

1. Sparsh (touch) - Khar, Pichhila, Danta Graha
2. Rupa (appearance) – Visible impurities
3. Rasa (taste) – Vyakta rasa
4. Gandha (smell) – Bad odour
5. Virya (Potency) – Trushna, Gaurav, Shula, Kapha Praseka
6. Vipaka (digestion) – takes long time for digestion.

Water which is devoid of smell, taste, pacifies thirst, clean, cold, light & good for heart is
called wholesome water.[6]

CONCLUSION
The ancient Indians were the custodians of a highly evolved civilization with great awareness
on the nature, environment & pollution. The Ayurveda Acharyas had considered human
environment from the point of view of physical, chemical, biological and social process that
influences directly or indirectly the health and well – being of the human kind. Ayurveda has
mentioned, Kshudra Jantu (Micro-organism) is one of cause for water contamination which
will be found in water containing decomposed dead bodies of aquatic animal (like insect,
water snake etc.), decomposed aquatic plant, unexposed to sunlight, moonbeam &air,
microorganism, mixed with rain water. The safety & accessibility of drinking water are major
concern throughout the world. Water pollution not only harms the aquatic beings but it also
contaminates the entire food chain by severely affecting humans dependent on these.

REFERENCES
1. Murray CJ, Lopez AD. Global mortality, disability, and the contribution of risk Factors:
Global Burden of Disease Study. Lancet. 1997; 349: 1436–42.
2. Millennium Development Goal drinking water target met - Sanitation target still lagging
far behind a Joint news release: by Gregory Hartl WHO Media coordinator
UNICEF/WHO on 6 MARCH 2012 at GENEVA/NEW YORK.
3. INDIAN STANDARDS ON DRINKING WATER QUALITY, 2nd edition, Bureau of
Indian Standards, New delhi, 2012.
4. Kaviraj Atridev Gupta, Charak Samhita. Sutra Sthan 27/215, Bhargav Pustakalay,
Benarus, 1938; 352.
5. Kaviraj Ambikadatta Shastri, Sushrut Samhita, Sutrasthan, Drava-Dravya Vidhi Adhyay
45/11. Sanskrit Sansthan Publication Varanasi, Reprinted in 2007; 169.

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6. Kaviraj Ambikadatta Shastri, Sushrut Samhita, Sutrasthan, Drava-Dravya Vidhi Adhyay

45/20. Sanskrit Sansthan Publication Varanasi, Reprinted in 2007; 171.

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