Assessment of Groundwater Quality in Village Pepaj, Rugova Region, Kosova

Abstract

Supply of safe, clean and abundant water for drinking purposes is essential for good health. The aim of this study was to assess the groundwater quality in village Pepaj, Rugova Region by analysing physico-chemical parameters, major and trace elements. Groundwater samples taken from tube-well were analysed for temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, total dissolved solids, total hardness, bicarbonate, ammonia, nitrate, phosphate, sulphate, chloride and fluoride. The concentrations of major and trace elements such as Ca, Mg, K, Na, Mn, Mo, Co, Fe, Zn, Se, Ni, Cu, Cr, Al, Sr, Sb, Ba, Cd, As, Hg and Pb were determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrophotometer (ICP-OES). The mean concentration of the anions follows the order: HCO₃^- >SO₄^2- >NO₃^- >NH₄⁺ >Cl^- > F^-. The concentrations of Ca, Mg, K, Mn, Fe, Zn, Cu, Cr, Al and Ba were found to be within the drinking water standards of the World Health Organization, European Union (98/83/EC Directive) and US Environmental Protection Agency. While Na, Mo, Co, Se, Ni, Sr, Sb, Cd, As, Hg and Pb were not detected in any of the analysed samples. The findings revealed that there was no public health risk in view of physico-chemical, major and trace elements concentrations in groundwater. 

Keywords

• Rugova Mountain Region
• physico-chemical parameters
• major and trace elements
• groundwater
• drinking water quality
• ICP-OES

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