Abstract
In recent years, in addition to water resources’ quantity, their quality has also received much attention. In this study, the quality of the urban water distribution network in northwestern Iran was evaluated using the water quality index (WQI) method. Then, some important trace elements were investigated, and finally, the health risk assessment was evaluated for both carcinogenic elements (Ni, Cd, Cr, Pb, and As) and non-carcinogenic elements (Ca, Mg, Na, K, F, NO3, and Cu) using carcinogenic risk (CR) and hazard quotient (HQ), respectively. In the present study, the WQI was calculated based on both World Health Organization (WHO) and Iranian drinking water standards. Comparing the results of these standards revealed that the WQI based on the Iranian standard was slightly higher. Regarding the calculated WQI for the study region, the status of water quality for drinking consumption is in the good water quality class (25 < WQI < 50). It was observed that Cu and Cd have the highest and lowest concentrations in all sampling points, respectively. Hazard Index (HI) results showed that the non-carcinogenic substances studied had a low risk for both adults and children (<1.0). However, the CR results showed that Ni, Cd, and As were above the desired level for both children and adults. The results of this study can be applied for efficient water management and human health protection programs in the study area.
Highlights
Access to clean drinking water is a fundamental human right, regardless of color, religion, nationality, wealth, or belief
The spatial distribution maps of the water quality index (WQI) were prepared using the calculation of the WQI at the sampling points of the urban water distribution network followed by interpolation using the kriging method in the geographic information system (GIS) environment
The results show that the Hazard Index (HI) values for all parameters considered in the health risk assessment of non-carcinogenic trace elements are lower than one, and there is little risk associated with ingestion and dermal absorption in the study area
Summary
Access to clean drinking water is a fundamental human right, regardless of color, religion, nationality, wealth, or belief. At least two billion people use fecal-contaminated drinking water sources [1,2]. The increasing need for energy, food, and housing as a result of population growth, urbanization, and modernization creates great pressure on water resources, especially water quality, as well as problems of sewage disposal and contamination of surface waters. By definition, is a criterion for assessing the usability of water for different purposes (drinking, industry, agriculture, etc.) using various biological, physical, and chemical parameters [3,4]. Parsabad city is considered an agricultural hub in Ardabil province, Iran, that plays a key role in ensuring food security on a national scale, especially in northwestern Iran
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