Abstract
Groundwater, the main drinking water source in the West Bank, is highly vulnerable to pollution given the karstic nature of the aquifer. This study was aimed at screening the quality of groundwater used for water supply, in terms of physicochemical and microbiological properties, and heavy metals concentrations. Attention was given to groundwater chemistry, using piper and Durov diagrams, to assess potent impact of pollution on groundwater. Twenty-nine groundwater samples from selected wells, representing the different groundwater fields in the West Bank, were collected and analyzed. The results revealed that the concentration of the ions and parameters affecting the aesthetic and health related water quality, such as Cl−, Na+, NH4+, TDS, and NO3−, and selected (semi) metals, including Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Cd, and As, are within the limits recommended for drinking water. The dominant cations and anions were in the order of Ca2+ > Na+ > Mg2+ > K+ > NH4+ and HCO3− > Cl− > NO3− > SO42−, respectively. The total average groundwater hardness is approximately 2.1 mmol/L and can be attributed to calcium (approximately 60%) and magnesium. The major ground water types in the West Bank were fresh water (Ca-Mg-HCO3), fresh water mixed with another water type (Ca-Mg-Na-HCO3 or Ca-Mg-HCO3-Cl), and extreme water type (Na-Ca-Mg-HCO3-Cl or Na-Ca-HCO3-Cl) showing high TDS, Cl− and Na+. Signs of pollution, namely elevated levels of nitrate and ammonium, were, however, observed even in some deep wells (>600 m), despite the thick cover of soil, tapping the Lower Ceneomanian confined aquifer.
Highlights
Groundwater is an essential source for drinking water production; its quality might be very different in different parts of the world and could vary over time
The following trend was observed for the anion concentrations: HCO3 − > Cl− > NO3 − > SO4 2−, while the cation concentrations were found in the following order: Ca2+ > Na+ > Mg2+ > K+
The water quality analyses of groundwater samples conducted in this study, suggest that majority of wells can be used for water supply after proper disinfection, based on requirements prescribed by the WHO drinking water quality guideline and Palestinian drinking water quality standards
Summary
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. High-quality fresh drinking water resources are essential for quality of life, notably in water-scarce areas. Due to the rapid increase in the world’s population, along with noticeable economic growth, freshwater resources have been stretched to the limit in many countries and regions of the world [1]. Groundwater is an essential source for drinking water production; its quality might be very different in different parts of the world and could vary over time
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