Environmental assessment of the physical and chemical properties of the new Rumaytha water treatment plant and its health implications

Abstract

Water purification projects to make water drinkable are among the most important service activities provided to the population. Ensuring the environmental and health quality of water is a key health indicator that guarantees the safety of its users. Accordingly, this current study aimed to assess the quality of drinking water at the New Al-Rumaitha Purification Plant for the year 2024 in Al-Rumaitha District, Muthanna Governorate, as it is one of the most important purification plants in the study area. It is the main source of drinking water for most administrative units in Muthanna Governorate in general and Al-Rumaitha District in particular. Furthermore, the annual environmental assessment of the plant determines the continued suitability of the water for drinking, as it helps ensure the health aspect related to diseases transmitted through drinking water sources, and subsequently, to take the necessary measures to reduce environmental pollution, primarily water pollution, Therefore, the environmental assessment process focused on identifying the physical and chemical indicators based on (24 water samples), distributed between (12 raw water samples) and (12 treated water samples). These samples were taken over a full year from the water source and compared with local and international environmental standards to determine their compliance with the health specifications recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Iraqi environmental standards, The research found that the overall average of the physical elements (Total Dissolved Solids - TDS, and Electrical Conductivity - EC) exceeded both international and local standards. In contrast, the overall averages for (Turbidity, Temperature, pH) did not exceed the standards. Meanwhile, the overall average for the chemical elements (Chloride, Sulfates, Sodium) exceeded both international and local environmental standards. Conversely, the overall averages for (Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium) did not exceed the environmental standards.