Water quality analysis in a residential area of Kuwait

Since the 1960's, the desalination industry has provided a sustainable and reliable source of water in arid States of the Arabian Gulf region such as Kuwait. Desalinated seawater is the primary source of drinking water in Kuwait while groundwater sources, although scarce, are typically used only for irrigation due to the extremely high salinity content. Drinking water may become contaminated during the distribution process due to the following: aging or corroded pipes, poor system integrity, pressure fluctuations from power shortages causing back siphoning, subsequent microbial or chemical infiltration, leniency in enforcing building codes, and finally aging desalination plants operating for more than 50 years. In addition, seawater pollution in Kuwait is severe due to oil spills, raw sewage, inadequately treated industrial and municipal effluent, agricultural chemicals, and indiscriminate discharge of bilge water. Water samples covering both residential buildings and educational institutions were collected from a residential area in Kuwait. In addition, water samples were collected from two desalination and distribution plants feeding the investigated residential area with drinking water. The water samples were analyzed for 104 parameters to include: bacteria, metals, inorganic chemicals, organic chemicals (pesticides, herbicides, PCB's, trihalomethanes), and endocrine disrupting chemicals. In this paper, the water samples analysis results will be presented and discussed. The paper will conclude in suggesting environmental considerations, precautions, and measures that could be implemented to secure a better water quality.