Drinking water quality in Saudi Arabia : an overview

Abstract EN

Published literature on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia"s drinking water quality (groundwater and desalted water) are reviewed.

Data on general water quality parameters (salinity and major cations and anions), for both groundwater and drinking water, are available, but fragmented.

The majority of groundwater aquifers, especially in the central and eastern parts, are highly saline and the water requires desalting to become fit for human consumption.

In some areas, over-pumping has lowered the groundwater table by several meters and the water quality has also been changing.

The data on toxic trace metal concentrations, either in the groundwater or drinking water, are limited.

However, new data on the effect of the distribution network on water quality have been presented.

Corrosion of utility pipes and leaching of chemicals from PVC pipes could elevate metal concentrations in drinking waters supplied to the end users.

The problems of drinking water supplies in Saudi Arabia are identified and recommendations are made to improve the drinking water quality in the Kingdom.