Investigation of the chemical and microbial quality of water supplied by treatment stations in Kerman city, Iran

This study aimed to investigate the quality of water supplied in Kerman city, southeast Iran. Total hardness, nitrite, nitrate, total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity, total coliforms, fecal coliforms, and elements were measured in samples from five stations in four seasons in 2022. The concentration levels of (mg/L) As (0.42 ± 1.83), Cd (0.004 ± 0.01), Cu (2.51 ± 3.38), Ni (1.33 ± 0.86), and Pb (1.50 ± 2.11) were more than the standard. Total coliforms in samples (5.30 ± 7.87) were more than the national standard (0/100 mL) with a significant mean difference in seasons (p-value = 0.04). Fecal coliforms were detected in samples collected in autumn (2.00 ± 0.00/100 mL). The findings showed that water treatment in stations could not remove the toxic heavy metals of As, Pb, and Cd. But the microbial pollution was detected in some samples. Therefore, the use of these waters is generally not recommended. Further studies and comparisons with water quality in the distribution system can provide more useful results.