Chemical profile of drinking water of broiler farms in Beheira province

Abstract EN

In order to have a clear picture for chemical quality of drinking water used in some broiler farms, a total of 100 water samples were collected (each sample represents a farm); 56 samples from underground water and 44 from tap water.

Samples were collected from broiler farms in different localities of Beheira Province during the period from July 2015 to June 2016.

Chemical analysis was performed at the laboratory of Department of Veterinary Hygiene and Management, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University for determination of pH value, total dissolved solids (TDS), total hardness, chlorides, ammonia, nitrites, phosphates and sulphates.

In addition, iron and manganese levels were determined at the Central laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Kafr El Sheikh University by using standard methods of American Public Health Association (APHA), (2005) by Atomic Absorptions Spectrophotometer (Perkin Elmer-403).

The obtained results showed that the mean values of pH value was 8.6135 ± 0.0676, TDS was 477.60 ±31.88, total hardness was 249.60 ± 13.89, chlorides was 217.20 ± 13.02, ammonia was 0.5366 ± 0.135, nitrites was 0.0263 ± 0.0038, phosphates was 0.0567 ± 0.027, sulphates was 261.81 ± 29.90, iron was 0.2101 ± 0.055and finally, manganese was 0.2176 ± 0.045.

On comparing the recorded values of the examined parameters with the acceptable limits, it was observed that 43% of examined samples were exceed the acceptable limit for pH value, 25% were exceed the acceptable limit for chlorides contents, 16% were exceed the acceptable limit for ammonia contents, 39 % were exceed the acceptable limit for sulphates contents, 19% were exceed the acceptable limit for iron content and 26% were exceed the acceptable limit for manganese contents.

Moreover, results of examination of tap water and ground water were compared and it was noticed that there was a significant difference between the mean values of pH, TDS, hardness, iron and manganese.

The recorded results will assist to determine the experimental levels of some chemical pollutants required to study the effects of these pollutants on broiler immune response and performance.