Evaluation of drinking water quality in some urban areas in North Sinai, Egypt

Abstract EN

This study was conducted to evaluate the quality of drinking water supplied by eight water stations i.

e.

, 1^st East Qantara, 2^nd Baluza, 3^rd Rummaneh, 4^th Rabaa, 5^th Bir El-Abed, 6^th Talol, 7^th Al-Arish and 8^th Al-Risa stations in the coastal strip of North Sinai Governorate, Egypt.

The samples were taken monthly from December 2018 to June 2019.

The study included the bacteriological assays i.

e.

, presumptive, confirmed and completed tests as well as performed a bacterial count of Escherichea coli bacteria using Most Probable Number (MPN) andsome physiochemical parameters (pH, Electrical conductivity, chlorides, bicarbonate, sulfate, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium and iron ions contents.

The bacteriological results (quantitative and qualitative tests) indicated that Baluza, Rabaa, Rummaneh, Bir El-Abed, Talol and Al-Risa drinking water stations were the most contaminated with E.

coli and found to be non-potable.

While, the East Qantara and Al-Arish drinking water stations being the least contaminated.

If the contamination level is high the Government should demand for proper chlorination, but this process needs the hands of an expert chemist, as extra chlorination is harmful to human health.

The pH and EC of most of the eight water stations under the study within the limits of World Health Organization and Egyptian standards for drinking water quality, except for the sample of the Rummaneh station in January, while the Rabaa station recorded the highest pH values in June.

The water sample of the Rabaa station recorded the lowest EC values during December, while a water sample of Balouza station recorded the highest values during May.

All cations (Ca⁺, Mg⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺) and anions (HCO₃^-, Cl^- and SO4^--) for all eight stations under study were within the permissible limits.

The physicochemical tests of most of the eight water stations under the study were within the limits of the naturalization approved by the World Health Organization except Al-Arish station has exceeded the iron ion values of the WHO.

Therefore, it should be recommended that the main water stations should be isolated from the weather, periodic maintenance and disinfection of water tanks to overcome the increase in iron concentration.

The main water lines, which were made of iron harmful to human health, should be changed to be replaced by pressurized polyethylene pipes recommended by the World Health Organization and US.

EPA.