Drinking Water Issue in North-West Sinai: The Problem and Solution in a Case Study

          DRINKING water has received considerable attention recently. However, misuse and mismanagement have resulted in a rapid and widespread decline in source-water quality and supply.Drinking water issuein Sinai is the subject of the present study. The selected area is El-TaqaddumVillage and the surrounding region in North-West Sinai. Different samples of the potable water from the drinking water treatment plant were taken during this study period.Physical and chemical characteristics of the water investigation indicated that pH value ranged from 6.8 to 8.4. Temperatures varied from 17^o to 35^o. Turbidity ranged from 0.30 to 0.78 as NTU. The level of metals in the studied water can be arranged according to the following decreasing order:- sodium > potassium > aluminum > iron > manganese in the magnitude of :- 150 : 35 : 4 : 2 : 1 respectively. Comparatively high values of Al, Fe and Mn indicated the input of such metals in the raw canal water. It was, therefore, recommended to enhance the settling process of raw canal water before treatment. Storing drinking water for more than two days causes the disappearance of chlorine down to zero. It is strongly recommended that the drinking water of this village should be freshly supplied. This should be associated with a supply of fresh water through the Canal. A continuous follow up of the physical, chemical and biological examination of this drinking water should be carried out precisely. The present investigation showed that the most possible solution is to maintain an initial Cl₂ concentration at 2 mg/l and the storing period should not exceed 2 days. To make this clear, residual chlorine in all drinking water supply should be within the permissible limits for safety of the residents. Otherwise, outbreak of epidemic diseases could be at high risk for these poor residents. A continuous flow of the water sources should be supplied to protect the residents of this area with safe treated drinking water.