A chemical analysis to assess drinking water treatment facilities in Fallujah, Anbar Governorate, Iraq

Abstract

Water consumption is an essential resource intricately connected to human health and ecological stability. Purification is an essential process to guarantee the absence of physical, chemical, and biological pollutants. This study seeks to assess the quality of drinking water at six prominent water purification facilities in Fallujah City, Anbar Governorate, Iraq. The findings indicated that the turbidity of the raw water surpassed the allowable threshold (5 NTU), measuring between (7.7±0.103) and (9.9±0.251) NTU. Post-filtration, the turbidity diminished to a range of (1.3±0.112) to (2.7±0.113) NTU, demonstrating the efficacy of the treatment. The pH value was documented within the permissible range (6.5 - 8.5) both prior to and subsequent to filtration. The electrical conductivity exhibited a modest rise post-treatment, rising from (1325 - 1331) μS/cm to (1431 - 1440) μS/cm, however it remained beneath the acceptable threshold of 2000 μS/cm. Total hardness was noted to remain elevated before and after filtration (540-546 mg/L), surpassing the allowable maximum limit (200 mg/L). Calcium exhibited a marginal rise post-treatment, to a concentration of (153±8.322) mg/L, surpassing the allowed limit of (150 mg/L). The amounts of magnesium, chloride, sulphate, sodium, potassium, and total dissolved solids remained below acceptable levels. The data demonstrate that the filtration plants in Fallujah are proficient in eliminating turbidity and regulating pH, yet they are inadequate in diminishing hardness and mineral concentrations, including calcium.