PRELIMINARY WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT USING CANADIAN WATER QUALITY INDEX OF RAS EL-AIN PONDS, SOUTH LEBANON

Authors

Hussien Ali Fayad, Faculty of Engineering, Beirut Arab University, Debbieh, LebanonFollow
Safaa Baydoun, Faculty of Science, Beirut Arab University, Debbieh, LebanonFollow
Mohamad Reda Soliman, Faculty of Engineering, Beirut Arab University, Debbieh, LebanonFollow

Keywords

Ras El Ain Ponds; physico-chemical parameters; Canadian Water Quality Index; domestic use.

Disciplines

Civil Engineering | Engineering | Environmental Engineering | Hydraulic Engineering | Other Civil and Environmental Engineering

Abstract

Water quality deterioration in Lebanon is a pressing national issue and there is a high need for continuous water quality assessment and monitoring of water bodies in the country. This study aims at assessing water quality of Ras El-Ain Ponds, a major natural water resource for domestic use in Tyre district, South Lebanon by using the widely applied Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Water Quality Index (CCME WQI). Sampling was conducted during February-March, 2023 and physiochemical and microbiological water quality parameters were determined using standardized methods. Assessed parameters in our study are temperature, turbidity, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, chloride, hardness, sulfate, orthophosphate, total organic carbon, fluoride and E. coli which is considered as a main indicator of fecal contamination of waterways. CCME WQI was calculated following the Canadian Water Quality Guidelines in view of the permissible levels set by the World Health Organization (WHO), Lebanese Standards Institution (LIBNOR) and CCME. With the exception of marginal levels of EC and TDS according to WHO and CCME, assessed water quality parameters were within the permissible ranges of standards for domestic water use. As for the CCME WQI, the obtained values fell between 90.73 and 94.42 % which indicates a “Good Quality” level confirming the suitability of water for domestic use. This research presents the first attempt to evaluate the CCME WQI of Ras El-Ain Ponds for quality monitoring and proper decision making. More comprehensive validation of CCME WQI that covers temporal and climatic variabilities is recommended for the assessment process.

Author ORCID Identifier

Hussein Fayad https://orcid.org/0009-0005-5180-3895

Safaa Baydoun https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1820-4995

Mohamad Reda Soliman https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7326-3157

Recommended Citation

Fayad, Hussien Ali; Baydoun, Safaa; and Soliman, Mohamad Reda (2023) "PRELIMINARY WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT USING CANADIAN WATER QUALITY INDEX OF RAS EL-AIN PONDS, SOUTH LEBANON," BAU Journal - Science and Technology: Vol. 5: Iss. 1, Article 5.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54729/2959-331X.1108

ISSN

2959-331X