Physicochemical quality of drinking water sources in Ethiopia and its health impact: a retrospective study

Abstract

Background: This retrospective study was aimed to examine the distribution of some physicochemical parameters and its health impact in selected drinking water sources of Ethiopia. The study used 983 water samples collected from different regions of the country, and have been tasted in the Environmental Health Laboratory, Ethiopian Public Health Institute, from 2003 to 2011. The samples were collected from eight regions plus two administrative cities of the country and classified based on the source type as spring, well, and tap water. Methods:The physicochemical parameter analysis was executed based on standard method. Microsoft Excel and IBM SPSS Statistical software were used for the statistical analysis of median and graph. Results:The median result indicates that some values are within the acceptable range (PH, magnesium, chloride and sodium from spring and tap water), but, there are some measured values in some regions which are out of the recommended limit, (total hardness and calcium in spring, tap and well water). On the other hand, very high Sodium and chloride concentration were recorded in spring, tap, and well water sources of the region such as Somali, Afar, and Oromia. Conclusions:Those water sources that do not conform to National Standard will result in public health problem in long time exposure. Therefore, the local water authority shall strengthen local water quality monitoring and control system as well as risk assessment and management mechanisms.

Organoleptic and palatability properties of drinking water sources and its health implications in Ethiopia: a retrospective study during 2010-2016

“…In general, this study showed that more than 80% of all parameters analyzed from improved water sources (spring, tap, and well) were found within the national standards and WHO guidelines. These findings are in agreement with the previous study summarized from the same water quality database (18). However, the remaining 20% of water quality parameters collected from improved water sources which failed to meet both national standards and WHO guidelines along with above 35% of overall Ethiopian population relied on unprotected water sources reported by Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (11), that could threat the public health from drinking water supply.…”

“…This pH range has also been recommended by WHO guidelines for drinking water quality. However, about 25% of water samples (12% and 14% below and above the recommended boundaries, respectively) in this study didn't comply with this recommendation (Table 2), which is consistent with a similar study conducted by Alemu et al (18). So, a pH value below 6 leads to toxic nature and a pH greater than 9 turns the water taste to a bitter taste (19).…”

Assessment of groundwater quality for drinking and irrigation purposes using hydrochemical studies in Malwa region, southwestern part of Punjab, India

“…Presence of phosphates in groundwater may be attributed to natural minerals or through pollution by application of fertilizer, sewage and industrial waste (Alemu et al 2015).…”

Hydrogeochemical processes in the groundwater environment of Batlagundu block, Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu: conventional graphical and multivariate statistical approach

“…The high levels of both phosphates and nitrates can lead to eutrophication, which increases algal growth and ultimately reduces dissolved oxygen in the water. The presence of phosphates in groundwater may be attributed to natural minerals or through pollution by application of fertilizer, sewage and industrial waste (Alemu et al 2015). The concentration of phosphate for the collected sampling sites is in the range of 0.23-1.0 mg/L which falls within the prescribed limit of WHO standards.…”