An Onsite Risk Assessment of Water Quality and Heavy Metal Contamination in Kandal Kampong Speu and Kampong Chhnang Province of Cambodia. (Invited article)

Abstract

Abstract This research aims to evaluate the onsite risk assessment of water quality and heavy metal pollution in Cambodia's remote Northeast. Tube wells (n = 20), and lakes/ponds (n = 20) were among the many water sources sampled in Kandal and Kampong province. A series of in-situ measurements such as pH, ORP, dissolved oxygen (DO), turbidity (NTU), conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), salinity, Total hardness, nitrate (NO32−), nitrite (NO2−) and heavy metals As, Fe, Mn, Cd, Co, Ni, Pb and Zn were measured during the sample collections. The additional chemical assessment was analyzed by using Ion chromatography (IC). Furthermore, The E. coli and Total coliform were analyzed as per scientific guidelines. It was found that the pH of water in all sources was under Cambodian water standards. Water samples from 100% of tube wells, and 98% of lake/pond water exceeded the Cambodian standard of 5 NTU for turbidity. Additionally, parameters like turbidity, electrical conductivity (EC), total suspended solids (TDS), and salinity in tube wells significantly surpass those in lake water. In particularly Kampong Chhnang province, trace metals arsenic (As) and Manganese (Mn) in all samples have been found to exceed Cambodian aesthetic values and the World Health Organization's. Iron (Fe) concentrations in tube wells and lake water samples were also higher than the Cambodian aesthetic standard of 300 ppb. The E. coli and Total coliform in the water samples were terribly higher than the World Health Organization's drinking water quality recommendation in Cambodia. To reduce the dangers to public health from drinking water contamination, it is advised that the people of Kandal and Kampong province have access to suitable treatment technology.