Abstract of my MSc research

The main objectives of this study were to investigate some safety aspects of drinking water of Derbandikhan that provide drinking water for major areas of Sulaimani city and nearby places. The safety parameters covered heavy metals, harmful bacteria and physico-chemical analysis at Darbandikhan and Dokan (Upper Dokan) regions, and Pirqurban old project and new project. The study was carried out by collecting samples from the raw water (the reservoir), water after treatment (tank water) and water from residential areas (tap water) on monthly basis for one year (June 2012 to May 2013), except for August. During the present study, the results of the studied Physico-chemical parameters were ranged as follow; pH between 6.96 – 7.62 and 4.60 - 8.10, Electrical conductivity (EC) between 364.8 – 691.6 µS cm-1 and 245.4- 524.5, Total Dissolved Solid (TDS) between 233.50 – 442.65 and 159.60 – 335.67 mg l-1, chloride ion between 24.27–70.17 mg l-1 and 4.6 –6.6 and nitrate ion between 0 - 7.23and 0-18.3 mg l-1 at Darbandikhan and Dokan lakes projects respectively. In analyzing heavy metals Cu, Pb, Cd, Zn, there was a clear variety in values, as follows; ( 6.2 – 56.9, 91.6 – 413.4, 4.04 – 35.59 , 42.6 – 388.8 µg l-1 ) at Darbandikhan lake project and (14.7 – 79.3, 83.5 – 265.9, 15.9 – 43.9, 1.8 – 112.9 µg l-1) at Dokan lake project, respectively. The metals Cu and Zn contents in all the studied water samples during this investigation were within the safe margin for drinking purposes, but for Pb and Cd were exceeded the recommended levels by (WHO,2008; EU,1998; ICOSQC, 2001; GCDWO, 2010 and USA, 2003) in all investigated water samples. Microbiological analyses covered Heterotrophic plate count, Thermo tolerantfecal Coliform bacteria and Vibrio cholerae. Heterotrophic and Thermo tolerantfecal Coliform bacteria were found in water after treatment. The results of Vibrio cholera bacteria showed positive for some raw water samples, however, all drinking water samples showed negative. Fish samples of 1-3 years ages from Darbandikhan and Dokan lakes were also examined for the heavy metals Cu, Pb and Cd. The concentrations for one year old fishes were 3.61, 10.72 and 18.38 µg g-1 at Darbandikhan Lake; while at Dokan Lake the results showed 6.86, 28.56 and 34.02 µg g-1 respectively. For two years old fishes the results revealed 4.96, 14.04 and 26.39 at Darbandikhan Lake; and 6.80, 30.84 and 34.75 µg g-1 at Dokan lake respectively. For three years old fishes the results were 6.40, 26.21 and 32.55 at Darbandikhan Lake; and 7.12, 33.08 and 35.26 µg g-1 at Dokan Lake respectively. According to the limits suggested by (WHO, 2004) and (FAO, 2004), Lead and Cadmium levels were far above the maximum permitted levels. As a result of these findings the drinking water is contaminated with heavy metals and Thermotolerant fecal coliform bacteria, further the fishes were also found with far higher Pb and Cd content than are permitted. Therefore, further researches for the same project and study are needed to support the results of current study.