ASSESSMENT OF PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND HEAVY METAL CONTAMINATION IN HORA HARSADE WATER, BISHOFTU, EAST SHOA ZONE, OROMIA, ETHIOPIA.

Abstract

Hora is a type of ground natural mineral water which are used as a source of mineral supplement for livestock. It has the medicinal value to protect the animals from different diseases and useful for their health growth. The aim of this study was to assess Physicochemical Properties and Heavy Metal Contamination in Hora Harsade Water, Bishoftu, East Shoa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. The Hora water samples were analyzed for physicochemical parameters and heavy metal concentration using a DR/2400 UV-vis spectrophotometer, flame photometry and ICP OES by following standard methods and laboratory procedures. The experimental procedures were set according to the international drinking water standards set by American Public Health Association (APHA). The study was carried in Winter, Spring and Summer, 2024. A total of 15 physicochemical properties and 5 heavy metal concentrations were analyzed in order to understand the characteristic and quality status of the Hora natural mineral water with temperature, pH, turbidity, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), Total solids (TS), Total Alkalinity (TA), Total hardness (TH), Dissolved solids (DO), Na, K, Ca, Mg, Chloride ion (Cl-); and heavy metals like: Cu, Fe, Zn, Mn and Cr. The results were evaluated with national (NDWQS, 2013) and international (WHO, 2018) drinking water standard values for human and livestock. The recorded mean concentration of temperature 19.37±0.15 0C higher than 15 0C WHO, TSS (91.33±1.15 mg/L) which is above WHO (30 mg/L), Na (318.39±11.35 mg/L) is above 200 mg/L (NDWQS and WHO), and Mn (0.56±0.05 mg/L) which is above permissible limits of NDWQS (0.5 mg/L) and WHO (0.1 mg/L). All the rest listed above properties of water were observed within the recommended permissible limits of CES and WHO standards that agreed with domestic water quality level. Based on the current study result the Hora Harsadee spring water is suitable for domestic purposes after moderate treatment of temperature, TSS, Na & Mn. For more detail quality monitoring, other physicochemical, toxic metals and microbial analysis have to be done in order to have a broader picture of those spring water quantity.