Abstract:
The study aimed to assess drinking water quality from spring, hand-dug well, and shallow well sources in South Achefer District and investigate the health risks associated with water consumption, considering non-carcinogenic effects. Water quality samples collected from 27 groundwater sources in May and July, 2022. Water quality parameters measured both onsite and in laboratory. Total dissolved Solids, Electrical Conductivity, Temperature, Turbidity, pH were measured on site and Total Alkalinity, Total Hardness, Nitrate, Phosphate, Sulphate, Ammonia, Chloride, Iron, Manganese, Zinc, and Copper measured in laboratory. The Water Quality Index (WQI) and Hazard Quotient (HQ) methods were used to assess the groundwater's appropriateness for drinking and the non-carcinogenic impacts of trace metals in vulnerable groups of the community. Results showed that EC, TDS, NO3, Cl, SO4, and Zn were within WHO and Compulsory Ethiopian Standard guidelines in both dry and wet seasons. However, 62.96% of turbidity and 11.11% of pH were above the guideline in the wet season. Additionally, in 26 % in 70 % of water schemes detected fecal coliforms in a dry and wet period respectively and 78% and 96% of the sampled drinking water sources contaminated to total coliforms respectively. WQI analysis, 22% of the water sources were of excellent quality, 33 % were of good quality, 33 % were of poor quality, 4 % were of very poor quality, and 7% of the sources were unsuitable for drinking in May (dry period). While 19% of the water sources were of excellent quality, 37 % were of good quality, 7% were of very poor water quality in the wet season19% of the sources were unsuitable for drinking. The hazard quotient from ingestion and dermal exposure did not go over the threshold level of 1, suggesting that neither children nor adults are exposed to any non-carcinogenic health risks from ingesting trace minerals in drinking water. In this study there is a contamination of water both in microbiological and chemical contaminants and contamination in dry period much better than wet period. This information will provide insights and understanding on groundwater pollution regimes and will also be helpful to policymakers for better planning, investments, and management to supply potable water in the area.
Keywords: Groundwater, Health risk, Rural, South Achefer Wereda, Water quality.