Drinking Water Quality and Management Practices From Source to Household: The Case of Kombolcha Town, Ethiopia’
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Date
2020-06-13
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This research focuses on investigation of the existing drinking water quality of Kombolcha townfrom the source to points of household tap in relation to safety and acceptability for usersconcerning water quality parameters. The town gets its water supply from groundwater sources.A total of 45 water samples were selected and collected from boreholes, reservoirs, distributionmains and households. The pH, Turbidity, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Electrical Conductivity(EC), Temperature, Total hardness, free chlorine residue, Manganese, Nitrate and Iron andMicrobiological (Total Coliform and fecal Coliform) parameters were determined. The resultwas then compared with the WHO and Ethiopian water quality standards.The results obtained show that for physical analysis except temperature the rest all parameterswere within the WHO permissible limit. The results for temperature were found between theranges of 22.5°C - 26.1°C. Based on laboratory analysis of chemical parameters the result showsthat total hardness is above the permissible limit set by the guidelines. Also, all chlorine residualof the samples were found to be below the recommended values of WHO and national guidelinesexcept seven of samples. However manganese, iron and nitrate were within the permissible limit.The result of bacteriological analyses indicated that Fecal coliform of all samples were zeromeeting WHO and national guidelines. But Total coliform of nine samples were above theguideline`s limit ranging between 1-4 CFU/100ml.In summary, with regard to the Physico-chemical parameters the water is safe and there is nosignificant effect on the health of the users. The results of bacteriological analyses have shownthat some of the sample points are at risk. To overcome these problems regular chlorination is recommended. It is also recommended that sampling and monitoring at different times is essential and analysis of additional water quality parameters should be undertaken.
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Kombolcha Town Water Supply Who Standards Water Quality