introduction water quality refers to the chemical, physical and biological characteristics of water. it is a measure of the condition of water relative to the requirements of one or more biotic species and or to any human need or purpose. it is most frequently used by reference to a set of standards against which compliance can be assessed. the most common standards used to assess water quality...

Groundwater contamination by fluoride (F) can result from the natural dissolution of minerals from subterranean strata. These inorganic contaminant in drinking water is known to cause serious health problems when the maximum contaminant levels (MCL) exceed 1.5 mg/L. The aim of this study was to correlate the high fluoride content in the groundwater of the region to the geochemistry of the water...

Sub-Saharan Africa is experiencing rapid urbanisation and many urban residents use groundwater where piped supplies are intermittent or unavailable. This study aimed to investigate long-term changes in groundwater contamination hazards and hand-dug well water quality in two informal settlements in Kisumu city, Kenya. Buildings, pit latrines, and wells were mapped in 1999 and 2013-2014. Sanitary...

The correct positioning of deep wells to monitor groundwater and entrained contaminants is greatly aided by using remote sensing methods. The geologic setting at the Anniston Army Depot (ANAD) consists of a sequence of fractured dolostones and clastic rocks that have been thrust-faulted, creating a highly complex and heterogeneous aquifer. The drilling of deep bedrock groundwater monitoring wel...

Groundwater nitrate contamination in the Central Valley (CV) aquifer of California is a ubiquitous groundwater problem found in various parts of the valley. Heavy irrigation and application of fertilizer over the last several decades have caused groundwater nitrate contamination in several domestic, public and monitoring wells in the CV above EPA’s Maximum Contamination level of 10 mg/L. Source...

The fate of groundwater contaminants in anthropogenic fill materials was investigated at a coal tar site, Site YYZ. This site was representative of other contaminated sites with a history of industrialization at which wastes from process operations form the local subsurface solids. The solids composing the groundwater-bearing unit at Site YYZ were reactants (oil), byproducts (tar, coke) and was...

Shallow hand-dug wells are commonly used to supplement partial or intermittent piped water coverage in many urban informal settlements in sub-Saharan Africa. Such wells are often microbially contaminated. This study aimed to quantify the amount of such groundwater consumed, identify the socioeconomic profile of well owners and consumers, and patterns of domestic water usage in informal settleme...