Groundwater Quality Distribution of Addis Ababa Based on Chemical Content
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Date
2020-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Groundwater is the main source of freshwater for use in agricultural, industrial, and
drinking purposes in Ethiopia. Addis Ababa City gets more than 60 % of its water supply
from groundwater.
When groundwater moves from surface to underground sources, it passes through a large
number of filtering media and hence becomes filtered. The resulting physical and
chemical properties of groundwater are most importantly related to its relationship with
the media, which the water encountered, and its residence time. Assessments of the
groundwater quality to determine their spatial distribution have significant importance for
further utilization and management of the resource.
This study was focused on selected five water quality parameters: Total Dissolved Solids
(TDS), Nitrates (NO3), Iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and Fluoride (F). 108 samples from
wells that are located within Addis Ababa city were collected and analyzed to determine
their water quality. Their spatial distribution analysis carried out using ArcGIS and the
overall Water Quality Index also computed.
The results of the laboratory analysis indicated that significant number of wells have a
water quality that was above WHO drinking water guide line values. This study showed
that there are three kinds of water exists in Addis Ababa city: Groundwater with high iron
and manganese at the northern part of the city, with high Fluoride and TDS in the central
part of the city which extends to eastern direction of the city and groundwater with better
water quality which complied with WHO permissible value at southern part of the City.
Description
Keywords
Groundwater quality, Total Dissolved Solids, Nitrate, Iron, Manganese, Fluoride