Selected physicochemical analysis of groundwater in and nearby Nekemte town, East Wollega zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

This study focused on the physicochemical analysis of groundwater samples obtained from Nekemte campus of Wollega University and Ifa Town of Diga district in Eastern Wollega zone. Most of the parameters were analyzed using DR/2400 Portable Spectrophotometere at Nekemte drinking water treatment plant. The results of the study are in the range of temperature (18.2-19.8^oC), turbidity (0.2-0.9 NTU), EC(136.3-180.2 µS/cm), pH (6.4-7.5), total solid (103.3-134.8 mg/L), total dissolved solid (99.9-131.8 mg/L), total suspended solid (2.9-3.9 mg/L), calcium hardness (0.2-2.4 mg/L), magnesium hardness (0.6-2.4 mg/L), total hardness (1.1-4.5 mg/L), aluminum (0.001-0.04 mg/L), chromium (0.01-0.04 mg/L), manganese (0.19-1.33 mg/L), iron (0.05-0.08 mg/L), potassium (1.5-2.8 mg/L), Nitrate (0.3-2.5 mg/L), Nitrite(0.004-0.011 mg/L), Phosphate (0.4-2.9 mg/L), sulfate(0.0.05-2.9 mg/L), fluoride (0.15-0.49 mg/L ), dissolved oxygen (4.1-7.5 mg/L), total chlorine (0.01-0.16 mg/L), ammonia (less than 0.02 mg/L) and iodine (0.0-0.02 mg/L), for the deep well ground waters of the two sites. These values agree with WHO drinking water standards except that of manganese, dissolved oxygen and temperature. Based on the present study result it is possible to conclude that the ground waters of the two sites are suitable for drinking purpose.