Chemical Pollution Risks for Many DrinkingWater Sources in Baghdad City, Iraq

Abstract

To determine contamination levels of pollutants in all of Baghdad's drinking water sources, all samples were taken from different water sources which are used in research areas and examined by AAS, pH, turbidity and TDS meters. The results indicate the mean concentrations of heavy elements (Cd, Co, Pb, and Cr (except for the concentration of chromium in one site)) were within WHO permissible limit> in the samples of drinking water were higher than the international limits. Mean concentrations of other heavy elements (Cu, Fe, and Ni) in water samples were below WHO recommendations permitted limits. The findings of the sample pH values were within the international acceptable limits. Turbidity values for all samples were within the Iraqi and global limits except 4 sites that exceeded acceptable WHO and Iraqi guideline limits. The levels of TDS in all samples were also lower than WHO except the samples in two sites which show levels of TDS higher than the Iraqi and WHO limits. According to the results above, all the drinking water projects in the Tigris River and water wells in Baghdad city must be monitored, Adequate and new drinking water treatment methods shall also be used. The Heavy Pollution Index (HPI) findings indicate that the drinking water sources in the city of Baghdad have been substantially polluted with Cd, Co and Pb.