This study aimed to determine the status of groundwater contamination with faecal coliform and nitrate in the rural areas of Mardan district, Pakistan. Both analytes require regular monitoring according to the National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) of Pakistan. Groundwater samples (n = 100) were collected from 25 villages across four zones. Samples were analysed for physicochemical parameters including pH, electrical conductivity (EC), Escherichia coli (E. coli) contamination, nitrite, and nitrate (\({\mathrm{NO}}_{2}^{ - }\) and \({\mathrm{NO}}_{3}^{ - }\)). Whilst the average concentrations of \({\mathrm{NO}}_{3}^{ - }\) in the water samples were within the permissible limits of 50 mg L⁻¹ set by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and NEQS two villages exceeded the safety limits. Non-carcinogenic health risks of \({\mathrm{NO}}_{3}^{ - }\) were estimated in terms of average daily dose (ADD) and hazard quotient (HQ). The HQ values for \({\mathrm{NO}}_{3}^{ - }\) were > 1 for children signifying potential health risks; however, the adult population had HQ < 1 which indicates no risk. Groundwater samples tested positive for E. coli contamination in 13 villages, suggesting that residents may be living at risk of various microbial diseases due to drinking of contaminated water. The findings of this study provide valuable baseline data for groundwater researchers, policymakers, and the local public health department.

本研究旨在确定巴基斯坦马尔丹地区农村地区地下水被粪便大肠菌群和硝酸盐污染的状况。两种分析物都需要根据巴基斯坦国家环境质量标准 (NEQS) 进行定期监测。地下水样本 ( n  = 100) 从四个区域的 25 个村庄收集。分析样品的理化参数，包括 pH、电导率 (EC)、大肠杆菌 (E.coli) 污染、亚硝酸盐和硝酸盐 ( \({\mathrm{NO}}_{2}^{ - }\)和\ ({\mathrm{NO}}_{3}^{ - }\) )。而水样中\({\mathrm{NO}}_{3}^{ - }\)的平均浓度在 50 mg L ^-1的允许范围内世界卫生组织（WHO）和NEQS设定的两个村庄超过了安全限值。\({\mathrm{NO}}_{3}^{ - }\) 的非致癌健康风险是根据平均日剂量 (ADD) 和危害商数 (HQ) 估算的。对于表示潜在健康风险的儿童，\({\mathrm{NO}}_{3}^{ - }\)的 HQ 值> 1；然而，成年人口的 HQ < 1，这表明没有风险。13 个村庄的地下水样本检测出大肠杆菌污染呈阳性，这表明居民可能因饮用受污染的水而面临各种微生物疾病的风险。这项研究的结果为地下水研究人员、决策者和当地公共卫生部门提供了宝贵的基线数据。