Wadi Wastewater Flowing Effects on the Spring Water Quality of Sarida Catchment—West Bank

Abstract

This research investigates the effect of discharged raw wastewater on the spring water in Wadi Sarida Catchment—Palestine. Two sampling campaigns for seven spring water were carried on in wet and dry seasons. The spring water samples were analyzed for physical, hydrochemical, and microbiological characteristics and pollution aspects. The hydrochemical results of wastewater samples exceeded the standards of the BOD5 and COD as well as Total Soluble Solids (TSS) in the dry season. Physical parameters of the spring water showed acceptable results according to the World Health Organization (WHO) standards. Chemical composition of all spring water samples showed that Ca2+ is playing a dominant concentration. The samples of the dry season exceeded the permissible limits for HCO3− and the acceptable limits for Cl− values. Al-Matwi spring showed high nitrate values and exceeded the WHO standards of 45 mg/l limit. The microbial results of the spring water showed an increasing limit of Fecal Coliforms (FC) which proves the wastewater contamination. The analyzed trace elements did not exceed the WHO standards for fresh water, but the abnormal value for B in Al-Shalal spring is referred to as wastewater contamination. Durov diagram revealed that 92% of all samples are falling in the domain of Ca–Mg–HCO3, which indicates the limestone and dolomite origin aquifers. However, all spring water samples are falling in the earth alkaline water type and showed suitable good water quality for different agricultural activities.