DOI:
VOLUME 1, JULY ISSUE 5
Miheret Tolla*, and Bisrat Gissila Gidday
ABSTRACT
This review evaluated evidence regarding the suitability of groundwater for drinking purposes across different regions in Ethiopia. It identified that the mean pH, Ca⊃2;⁺, Cl⁻, SO₄⊃2;⁻, PO₄⊃2;⁻ and NO₃⁻ concentrations in all the reviewed studies were in compliance with the WHO standard limit. All the reviewed articles reported their maximum Ca⊃2;⁺ and PO₄⊃2;⁻ concentrations within the WHO standards, but the maximum concentrations of other parameters were beyond the WHO standard limit. The maximum concentrations of fluoride, bicarbonate, and potassium obtained in more than 50% of the reviewed articles were beyond the recommended WHO standard limit. Based on total dissolved solid (TDS) concentration, 80% of the reviewed articles indicated that the groundwater was suitable for drinking. The maximum potassium concentration obtained in 75% of the reviewed articles was beyond the WHO limit, which may result in elevated blood pressure and hypertension. The maximum fluoride concentrations obtained in 57.1% of reviewed articles were beyond the recommended WHO limit, which may result in dental and skeletal fluorosis. The published studies reviewed varied in terms of the type of groundwater source used, the number of parameters analyzed, the methods used, and the number of references used. Groundwater quality parameters should be monitored regularly before use to avoid any human health-related problems and ensure sustainable development across the country. Further detailed studies using physical, chemical, and bacteriological parameters should be needed on different groundwater sources to reduce any possible means for groundwater contamination.
Keywords:
Groundwater Quality, Drinking Water, Groundwater Contamination, Ethiopia, Standard Limit.
