Investigation of physicochemical properties and the levels of selected heavy metals in well, tap and river waters of bantu town, south west shoa, Ethiopia.

Abstract

In this study, physicochemical parameters and concentrations of selected heavy metals in handdug sand well, river, well and tap waters of Bantu town, Ethiopia were investigated. Totally, 9 water samples (2 from hand-dug sand, 2 from river, 3 from well, 1 from tanker and 1 from resident home tap) were collected for the analysis. Physicochemical parameters such as temperatures, pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, dissolved oxygen and turbidity were determined onsite by portable multi parameter. Other parameters like nitrite nitrate, sulphate, and phosphate were determined by palintest photometer and concentrations of selected heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu and Pb) were determined by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. The obtained results demonstrated electrical conductivity ranging from 182.30 – 919.90 µs/cm, turbidity from 1.15 – 11.95 NTU, dissolved oxygen from 2.70 – 6.10 mg/L, pH from 6.91 – 8.34, temperature from 18.80 – 23.80 0C, total dissolved solid from 88.40 – 470.60 mg/L, nitrite from 0.01 – 0.02 mg/L, nitrate from 3.88 – 33.72 mg/L, sulphate from 22 – 37.88 mg/L, and phosphate from 0.10 – 0.59 mg/L. Concentrations of Pb under the study area were 0.004 - 0.33 mg/L. The results show that, except the dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, turbidity and concentration of Pb, all the parameters fulfill the minimum and maximum permissible limit for drinking water guidelines of WHO, US EPA and ES