Domestic Water Quality in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Due to water resources shortage in Saudi Arabia, the water authority relies on intermittent water supply system. In this system, the city is divided into a number of small sectors, and water is pumped rotationally between the sectors according to an operational schedule. The frequency of water pumping to a given sector varies from several days to weeks. Between the intermittent water supply, pipes remain empty and dry for long periods. Consumers construct the underground storage water tanks to meet their demands. Lack of sewerage systems in many areas with high water table in the city lead to the presence of cesspools near the underground storage water tanks. Potential leakage of polluted water into the distribution network is very high and the pipe system is exposed to the pressure of contaminated surrounding water table. These factors enhance the risk of drinking water contamination. The first objective of this study is to assess the quality of domestic water supply in Jeddah. One hundred and thirteen water samples were collected in a five-month period between January and June 2009. Thirteen parameters were evaluated and compared to the maximum level of the WHO and Gulf standards for un-bottled drinking water. The results showed a compliance with the drinking water standards regarding the physical and chemical parameters, except five samples which have exceeded the maximum allowable limit for iron. The bacteriological results showed that up to 60% of the samples were contaminated with total coliform. The second objective is to evaluate the suitability and reliability of the most purchased domestic water purification units (point-of-use) POU, and to select the suitable water purification unit for the residential water in Jeddah. Unit III, which consists of fiber filters, activated carbon filter and the ultraviolet UV- Sterilizer of ultraviolet (UV), was found to be suitable for domestic use in Jeddah