Abstract
Drinking water should be of sufficient quantity and meet certain water quality guidelines. Main sources of potable water supply in Saudi Arabia are groundwater wells and desalinated sea water. The aim of this research was to assess potable water quality in Al-Hassa, KSA. The study focused on drinking water quality criteria including nitrate, fluoride (NO3, F) and related physiochemical parameters such as turbidity, pH, EC, TDS, residual chlorine, hardness, anions and cations. Approximately 59 sampling sites have been selected and water samples were collected twice (May and December 2013) from groundwater wells, mixing plant, distribution networks and consumers. The results revealed that, TDS concentrations for the water samples collected averaged 1196 +/- 599 mg/l; with lower values reported in central towns compared to relatively higher values within villages. NO3 and F concentrations were mainly averaged 4.64 +/- 1.99 mg/l and 0.76 +/- 0.31 mg/1, respectively. These findings reflect high nitrate inputs from anthropogenic sources within the study area. Average concentrations of major anions including Cl, HCO3 and SO4 were 383 235 mg/l, 164 +/- 45.1 mg/l and 314 +/- 167 mg/l, respectively. On the other hand, average concentrations of major cations including Na, K, Ca and Mg were 207 +/- 127 mg/l, 14.3 +/- 9.13 mg/l, 130 +/- 57.7 mg/l and 41.4 +/- 22.3 mg/l, respectively. Fe and Mn were in the range of 33.4 - 381 mu g/l, and 12.3 - 116 mu g/l, respectively. Higher values of these ions were observed in water samples collected from northern and eastern villages relative to those collected from central towns; reflecting higher concentrations of these ions in groundwater wells. The research outcomes contribute to a robust view of the current potable water quality and putting recommendations for improving water quality.