THE IMPACT OF GROUNDWATER QUALITY ON THE HEALTH STATUS OF BILATE TOBACCO DEVELOPMENT FARM COMMUNITY, DUGUNA FANGO WOREDA, WOLAITA ZONE, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Due to Natural activities the groundwater is contaminated. This is the serious problem now a day. Thus the analysis of the groundwater quality is very important to society. The primary objective of this study was the impact of groundwater quality on the health status in BTDF. For this study BTDF was selected by purposive sampling techniques and a total of 63 sample households were included in the study for primary data sources. The assessment of the groundwater quality was carried out in the eight different locations of the study area from June-September/ 2018.The data from the respondents were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. From this one way ANOVA were used to the statistical variables at 5% significant level and correlation was also made to the variables. The experimental values of range in major Physico-chemical parameters of groundwater quality were pH (7.05–7.9),Temperature(30.4-56°C),Total Dissolved Solids (514-1330mg/l), Totalhardness(15-36mg/l),Calcium(24-55mg/l),Magnesium(2-7mg/l),potassium(21-72mg/l),Nitrate(1.25-2.01mg/l) ,Sulphate (3-9 mg/l), Fluoride (3.2-33mg/l),Bicarbonate (320-393mg/l) and Carbonate (10-44mg/l) .Water samples taken from semiarid area indicated high level of water contaminants that do not fulfill the WHO and Ethiopian standard drinking water. As a result impact on the human health especially dental and skeletal fluorosis. Further results of bacteriological examination by membrane filtration test showed that coli forms were absent and hence water was potable. Correlation value for microbial with all physico-chemical parameter showed that cannot be computed because one of the variable is constant that means all water sample values zero. Sample suggests that the evaluation of groundwater quality parameters as well as groundwater quality management practices should be carried out periodically to protect the water resources which may pose associated health risk and economic impact