Abstract:
Water quality in rural areas of developing countries is a notable problem. In this article,
drinking water quality from eleven villages in the Pavlodar and the Akmola region of Kazakhstan
was analyzed. Questionnaires of village respondents and chemical components of drinking water
were analyzed to identify the quality of drinking water. In each of the villages, the chemical content
varied depending on the source of drinking water. In the rural Pavlodar region, we observed that
some cations and anions exceed the MPC. Respondents’ perceptions of water quality are associated
with water sources and physical components. For example, respondents’ satisfaction by inside tap of
central water systems’ water was high, the answers of those whose water source was private wells
showed more mixed satisfaction levels. The drinking water physical quality indicators are closely
related to water mineralization and general hardness. The total microbial count of drinking water
has a significant relationship with respondents’ complaints about unpleasant taste, odor, and salinity.
The relationship between perceived and physical water quality is a critical aspect of water resource
management. By bridging the gap between scientific assessments and public perceptions, we can
enhance public health, build trust in water management systems, and promote sustainability of
water use
