Abstract
Good drinking water quality is essential for the well being of all population. The object of this study was to assess the quality of drinking water in the city of Sulaimaniyah in Iraqi Kurdistan. A total of 2342 water samples from various sources providing water to the city collected during 2014 were analyzed for physiochemical and biological parameters using standard methods. Fifty percent of the samples were from, Dukan project after treatment, 26% from Dukan project before treatment, 8% from Sarchinar, 6% from city storage tanks and networks and 10% were brought by citizens from various sources.The total hardness of the city water at source after treatment was 186.3 (95% CI 179.6, 192.8), TDS was 150.6 (95% CI 149.5, 151.7), and PH was 7.74(95% CI 7.36, 8.12). The total hardness, TDS, turbidity and Calcium were considerably higher in Sarchinar than Dukan (231 vs. 161, 242 vs. 147, 2.7 vs. 1.8 and 72.9 vs. 44.5 mg/l respectively), while Sodium and Potassium were higher in Dukan than Sarchinar (3.4 vs. 1.4 and 1.4 vs. 0.08 mg/l respectively). Samples from the two supply lines from filtrated Dukan water project were compared in relation to physic-chemical characteristics and there were no significant differences in any of the parameters except PH, TDS and turbidity which were different. TDS of Dukan 1 project was slightly higher than Dukan 2 (148.9 vs. 145.9 respectively). Similarly turbidity of Dukan 1 was twice that of Dukan 2 (2.4 vs. 1.2). Overall, the parameter values were within standard ranges except Cl1- which was 19.8 (Iraqi standard 10 ppm) and dissolved oxygen which was 9 ppm (Iraqi standard 7-8 ppm). Microbiological results showed that 973 of the samples (91%) had an MPN of zero, 61 (5.7%) had an MPN of 2.2 and 35 (3.3%) had a higher MPN. The mean chlorination level for all samples was 1.12 (SD 0.44) .We can conclude that both Sarchinar and Dukan waters are acceptable for drinking purposes according to the parameters evaluated. We recommend to include monitoring heavy metals like Hg, Pb, Ni, Cr, Cd, Ag in the future; to consolidate the existing reporting system and to included samples from household tap water for analysis.
Highlights
Good drinking water quality is essential for the well being of all population and essential for their health
Samples and sources The analysis includes a total of 2342 water samples from various sources providing water to Sulaimaniyah city collected during 2014(table 1)
Samples were collected from the raw water of Dukan project before water treatment (26%), Dukan project after water treatment(50%), Sarchinar project before chlorination (8%) and city storage tanks and other network pipes inside the city(6%)
Summary
Good drinking water quality is essential for the well being of all population and essential for their health. Tremendous is increase in the request for clean water due to quick growth of population and the speeded pace of industrialization 2. The increase in population and expansion of economic activities undoubtedly leads to increasing request of water for various purposes. The quality of water is defined in terms of its physical, chemical and biological parameters 3,4. The physical condition of water (color, taste and odor) strength reduces it undrinkable as it can be disallowed by end-users. For this purpose, water quality evaluation and continuous observing are of highest importance . Water quality evaluation and continuous observing are of highest importance . 5,6,7 The estimated individual consumption of drinking water is about 2 liters per day for people weighted 60 kg and one liter per day for children weighted 10 kg for drinking depending on the nature of the climate and physical
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