Groundwater contamination has emerged as a significant threat to public health across the globe, and recent research sheds light on the quality of drinking water sources from the west Rosetta Nile branch of Egypt’s Nile Delta. Concerned with public health risks, the study, led by Z.E. Salem, S.S. Hasan, and A.M. Sefelnasr, seeks to evaluate groundwater for its suitability as drinking water, applying various water quality indices and health risk assessments. The results indicate alarming variations across the region, highlighting the need for urgent intervention and management.
Groundwater is becoming increasingly strained by urbanization, agricultural chemical runoff, and climate change. These pressures are especially evident along coastal aquifers, which are often bombarded by seawater intrusion leading to the salinization of available water resources. The study aimed to analyze groundwater quality and draw insights from applied scientific assessments to develop conservation strategies for the Nile Delta region.
The researchers employed several models including the Water Quality Index (WQI), the Synthetic Pollution Index (SPI), and Health Risk Assessments (HRA) to evaluate 75 groundwater samples across various sites within the specified region. Key metrics, such as Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), pH, chlorides, nitrates, and specific heavy metals were assayed to determine overall water quality.
According to the findings, the percentages of TDS levels across the southern region fell within acceptable limits, where approximately 25.3% and 29.33% of samples were rated desirable and allowable respectively. Alkalinity (HCO3), Aluminum (Al), and Barium (Ba) were also found acceptable across almost all collected samples. While Calcium (Ca) and Magnesium (Mg) levels were satisfactory in the central and southern portions of the investigated area, northern regions reported unsatisfactory conditions, where levels of Sodium (Na), Chloride (Cl), and Sulfate (SO4) elevated excessively due to seawater intrusion.
Health impacts from contaminated drinking water can be dire and multifaceted. The study reported inappropriate ranges for Manganese (Mn) and Nitrates (NO3), as well as Elevated Iron (Fe) concentrations, particularly affecting children, wherein HRA indicated children faced the highest health risks, with 14.7% of collected samples posing unacceptable hazards to their well-being. Adult females and males faced slightly lower risks at 12% and 8%, respectively. The authors highlighted the urgent need for monitoring and regulation of groundwater quality to protect vulnerable demographics.
The comparative assessments between WQI and SPI methodologies classified water quality variably across four main categories: good, poor, very poor, and unfit for drinking. Approximately 20% of samples were deemed suitable, 18.7% were slightly polluted, 8% highly polluted, leaving over 30% unfit for consumption as groundwater quality degradation increased toward the north, mirroring the intrusion of seawater and excessive agricultural pollution effects.
With the findings laying bare the alarming status of groundwater quality, the study calls for enhanced management responses. It marks out recommendations such as forming improved observation networks, seasonal quality assessments, and increasing public awareness about potential health impacts of contaminated water sources. Notably, there is also emphasis on utilizing advanced modeling techniques to predict and mitigate contamination risks.
Overall, the analysis serves as both a comprehensive review of current groundwater conditions and a clarion call for policymakers and community partners to take decisive actions for sustainable management of Egypt's precious water resources—essential not only for health and safety but also for supporting the area's agricultural viability.