Abstract:
Water is one of the most important natural resources required for the life of animals and plants. In this
study, physico-chemical properties and some selected metal contents of Dal River,at Gachit District,
West Omo Zone, Ethiopia was investigated. Water samples were collected from three sites, at proximity
to Wangech, administrative town of Gachit District, along the River course based on their accessibility
and conveniences. The physico-chemical parameters and metal contents were determined using portable
multi-meter and the Palintest water quality testing apparatus. Accordingly, the average phyico-chemical
properties obtained from the studied samples were: temperature (16.97±0.38°C), pH (6.47±0.15), DO
(5.51±0.57mg/L), TA (50.57±2.23mg/L), TDS (108.17±2.48mg/L), EC (169.13±3.78µS/cm), NO3
-
(3.4±0.26mg/L),Cl-
(20.03±4.2mg/L) and TH (36.57±1.03mg/L). The level of selected heavy metals
such as Cu, Fe, Cr, and Ni in the water samples were ranging from 0.01 ± 0.00 - 0.02 ± 0.00 mg/L,
0.14±0.01- 0.29 ±0.03 mg/L, 0.04± 0.00 - 0.46± 0.03 mg/L and 0.04 ±0.00 mg/L, respectively. Nitrite
and phosphate ions, Zinc metal were not detected in all water samples. Except, nickel, the studied
parameters were found to be below the permissible limits set in the national and WHO guidelines for
river water. Finally, although the obtained results indicated the water satisfy the recommended river
water guideline, regular monitoring of the quality of such the river water has paramount importance to
safe the health of surrounding community and downstream users.
