Evaluation of Prevalent Drinking Water Sources in the City of Tarhuna and its Suburbs: Compliance with Local and International Standards

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the quality of drinking water obtained from different sources by examining selected physicochemical and microbiological parameters in accordance with the Libyan Drinking Water Standards (2015). A total of seven samples were collected from commonly used sources, including rainwater harvested from rooftops and stored in underground household tanks, as well as water supplied by various desalination stations. The evaluated parameters comprised pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), and microbiological indicators, including Total Coliform and Faecal Coliform bacteria. The results demonstrated that most physicochemical properties were within the acceptable limits defined by the Libyan standards. The measured pH values ranged from 7.00 to 8.70, EC values from 49 to 310 µS/cm, and TDS concentrations from 31 to 205 mg/L, indicating generally low levels of mineral content. However, microbiological analysis revealed clear differences among the sampled sources. Rainwater stored in aged underground cement tanks exhibited significant contamination, with 22 Faecal Coliform and 184 Total Coliform counts, indicating that this water is unsuitable for consumption without treatment. In contrast, desalinated water samples exhibited either complete absence or negligible levels of microbial contamination, reflecting high treatment efficiency and safety. Overall, the findings indicate that while most samples meet chemical quality standards, microbiological contamination is primarily linked to storage conditions. This highlights the importance of proper maintenance of household tanks and regular monitoring to ensure the safety of drinking water.

However, flexural strength and impact resistance peaked at 4.18 MPa and 4 blows, respectively, at 1.5% fiber content, indicating the best improvement in toughness-related characteristics. A decrease in performance was observed beyond this ideal dosage, which was probably caused by impaired fiber dispersion and workability. The results support previous research on how synthetic fibers can improve post-cracking behavior by efficiently bridging cracks.