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Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Objectives The aim of the study was to assess the quality of drinking water of different sources in Menoufia Governorate. Background Access to safe drinking water is one of the basic human rights and is essential for healthy life. Failures in water treatment processes and recontamination of treated drinking water are the major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Therefore, monitoring of drinking water from source to tap is an essential step toward hygiene safety. Materials and methods A cross-sectional study was carried out in Menoufia Governorate. Five towns and five villages were chosen randomly. Ten samples were taken from the main water stations in these areas and 150 samples were taken around each station. Five samples were taken from private stations, five samples were taken from water carts, and another five samples were taken from home filters. Results Parameters of water quality of studied samples were within the Egyptian standards, except for turbidity, iron, manganese, free available chlorine, coliform group, and total bacterial count. Seventeen samples have exceeded the Egyptian standards for turbidity. Regarding manganese and iron, there were 34 and 44% of the samples that exceeded the Egyptian standards for manganese and iron, respectively. Free available chlorine of 41 samples was outside the standards. In all, 22% of the samples showed count above the standard level of total coliforms. In addition, 28% of the samples showed total bacterial count greater than 50 cells/cm 3 . Conclusion Parameters of water quality of studied samples were within the permissible limit of the Egyptian standards except for increased levels of turbidity, ammonia, iron, and manganese in addition to presence of residual chlorine concentrations lower than the standards. Similarly, drinking water was also contaminated with coliform bacteria. Therefore, we advocate regular water quality monitoring with special emphasis on water distribution system and private water stations for the safety of public health.

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