Physico-chemicals and Heavy Metals Analysis of Drinking Water of Aksum University, Tigrai region, Ethiopia

The quality of drinking water is a vital factor for human health and key to increase productivity of people. Unfortunately, most of the people in developing countries do not have access to safe drinking water.  In Ethiopia, majority of population has suffered from a lack of access to safe drinking water, despite the country is blessed with abundant water resources. The community in Aksum University (AKU) has expressed concern about the quality (especially taste) of the drinking water. This has compelled the people to purchase bottled or packaged water, and thereby increasing the economic hardship on the community. Most people in AKU could not afford the cost, due to the high cost of the water, and have therefore used drinking water of the University. However, no report has been available regard to the quality parameters drinking water of AKU. Therefore, this study was designated to analyze some selected physico-chemical parameters and heavy metals to predict the quality status of drinking water of AKU. The results obtained were compared with the maximum permissible limits given by the Ethiopia Standard Agency (ESA) and World Health Organization (WHO). The result revealed that pH value was within recommended value. The levels of Ca, Cl^- F^-, SO₄^2-, NH₃-N, NO₂^--N, total dissolved solids, Ca hardness, Mg hardness, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn were lower than the limits. On the other hand, the levels of total alkalinity, Mg, K, and Cd in drinking water of AKU were higher than the maximum permissible limits. Besides, according to WHO, drinking water of AKU was very hard. Therefore, an adequate treatment is required to decrease these parameters in the drinking water.