Water Quality and Bacteriological Assessment of Two Drains; in the Deltaic Mediterranean Coast of Egypt

Abstract

This study examined the physicochemical characteristics, nutrients, and bacteriological indicators of surface water from ten sampling sites along Kitchener and New Damietta drains, the Nile Delta, Egypt. The mean values of pH were recorded at 8.99 and 8.86; temperature values ranged between 32 and 32.5ºC; salinity levels were 6.08 and 6.88‰; TDS values were recorded at 5610 and 6679.6mg/l; TSS was registered with values 23.28 & 19.59mg/l; EC values were evaluated (9.81, 11.39mS/cm), DO recorded values of 3.98 & 2.48mg/l, and those of OM were 5.89 and 12.86mg/l, at the Kitchener and New Damietta drains, respectively. Variations in SiO4, NH4, PO4, NO3, and NO2 in the Kitchener and New Damietta drains showed how anthropogenic pollution has affected the pollution along the drains. The low N/P ratio indicated that nitrogen was the limiting factor for phytoplankton growth at all sites in both drains except S10, where phosphorus was the limiting nutrient factor. Results of the average water quality index (AWQI) confirmed that Kitchener and New Damietta drains have poor water quality. In addition, the bacteriological indicators (Total Bacterial Count (TBC) and Total Coliforms (TC)) were found in the studied drains' water. The determined TBC results exceed (1000CFU/ml) the recommended level specified by Egyptian Law No. 48/1982 for pollution protection of the Nile and waterways. Similarly, the TC values exceed the World Health Organization's (WHO) acceptable limit for wastewater usage in irrigation (1000CFU/100ml). As a result, tight rules and frequent monitoring are necessary to protect the water quality of these drains. The obtained results would be useful for the optimal management of both drains.