Monitoring the hygienic quality of underground water in different localities in Egypt and Libya

The present study was carried out in six provinces in both Egypt and Libya throughout the period from January to October 2014. These areas were (Beni-Suef, Ismailia, and Matrouh district) in Egypt and (Tripoli, Zliten, and Zawia district) in Libya. To assess the hygienic quality of underground water sources intended for animal and human drinking and detect the source of pollution. The physicochemical parameters as pH, alkalinity (mg/l), electrical conductivity (μS/cm), total hardness (mg/l), hardness Ca+2 (mg/l), hardness Mg+2 (mg/l), ammonia (mg/l), nitrite (NO2-) (mg/l), nitrate (NO3-) (mg/l) and some heavy metals (Pb, Fe, Cu, Cd, Cr, Zn and Mn) in the underground water were determined. A total of 60 water samples of the underground water were collected from dug wells. Samples were investigated for assessment the physicochemical quality of water destined for human and/or livestock consumption using appropriate instruments for the estimation of metals in the underground water using atomic absorption spectrometer. It has been revealed that a significant increase in mean values of alkalinity (P<0.001) in Ismailia district, Egypt and Zawia district, Libya. Meanwhile, the total hardness showed a significant increase in Tripoli, Zliten and Zawia districts of Libya (367.8±23.73, 345±17.20 and 330±20.19 mg/l, respectively). Mean values of lead (Pb) were higher in Tripoli and Zliten districts, Libya and Matrouh and Ismailia districts, Egypt (0.03±0.1, 0.02±0.3, 0.02±0.07 and 0.02±0.04, respectively). Meanwhile, mean values of cadmium (Cd) were the highest in the three Libyan districts (0.24± 0.003, 0.22±0.07 and 0.012±0.006 mg/l, respectively). In conclusion, the absence of unified system to monitor physicochemical parameters in ground water in the studied areas represented an important task in the evaluation of such water sources and subsequently causing an environmental risk for both animals and humans health.