Contamination of Groundwater and Associated Disease: Case Study from Khan Younis Governorate, Gaza, PNA

Abstract

This study characterizes the current situation of drinking water in Khan Younis Governorate (Kh.Y.), Gaza, Palestine and correlates it with an associated heath problem. About 21 fresh water samples were collected from different water supply sites in Kh.Y. and analyzed for nitrate, chloride, total dissolved salts (TDS) and for fecal and total bacteria. The article also analyzes the environmental situation among the population in Kh.Y.  and correlates it with the current health problems.

Chemical parameters indicate that only 3, 8 and 9 wells contained nitrate, Chloride and total dissolved salts (TDS) levels below the WHO standards respectively, whereas the remaining wells contained nitrate, chloride and TDS levels far above the WHO standards.

Furthermore, only 2 wells above all are complying with the WHO standards in a horizontal comparison (comparison of all standard to the same well). Biological parameters indicate that only 6 wells above all were contaminated with fecal coliform and total coliform. Data from the ministry of health indicate that disease cases are progressively increased from one year to the next one indicating a high health risk.  This situation may have a correlation with the growing incidence of infectious and non infectious diseases. Improvement of water quality can be possible by implementing strong environmental initiatives such as pollution control measures and clean water act.

Key words: Water sampling sites, nitrate, chloride, TDS, fecal and total coliform.