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Groundwater quality assessment in Borana

Figure 1. Location map of the study area showing the locations of Yabelo, Dubluk, Elwaya, and Gomole

as groundwater sources, such as boreholes, shallow et al. Before sampling, the bottles were thoroughly
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wells (locally known as “Adadi” or “Tula wells”), and cleaned using detergents according to the protocol
motorized pumps. These water sources are used for described by Gebresilasie et al. The bottles were then
5
both domestic purposes and livestock consumption, treated with 5% nitric acid (HNO ) (Nanjing Taibai
3
depending on the season. During the wet season, runoff Chemical Co., Ltd, China) and left to acidify for 24 h.
and floodwater are used, whereas ponds, boreholes, and After acidification, the bottles were rinsed twice with
micro-dams become the primary water sources during distilled water and subsequently rinsed 3 times with
the dry season. The remaining water sources are mainly sample water before being filled with the groundwater
used during periods of drought. 22,23 sample.
A total of 60 water samples were collected from 10
2. Materials and methods different sampling sites (Table 1), with two bottles per
site during each sampling event, and each sampling
2.1. Water sampling and preservation event repeated 3 times. The first bottle was acidified
In addition to Yabelo Township, which includes Borana with HNO for major ion analysis, while the second
3
University, the water sampling process encompassed bottle remained unacidified for the analysis of other
three surrounding towns: Elewaye, Dubluk, and physicochemical parameters. 26,27 To ensure the samples
Gomole (Figure 1). These towns were selected using a accurately reflect the groundwater chemistry, the water
purposive sampling method, based on the community volume was flushed at least twice during pumping to
concerns and dissatisfaction with the quality of some obtain fresh groundwater before sampling, as described
available ground water sources for drinking. The study by Sanad et al. 13
included all four borehole sources that supply drinking Each sample bottle was labeled with a unique sample
water to Yabelo town, as well as two randomly selected code and stored at 4°C in a dark place to maintain stable
groundwater sources from each Elewaye, Dubluk, and conditions until analysis. 19,28
Gomole towns (Table 1). In total, water samples were
collected from ten sampling sites, as outlined in Table 1. 2.2. Analysis of water samples
Water samples were collected in 1 L polyethylene 2.2.1. Determination of physical parameters
plastic bottles from June to August 2023, with a Temperature, turbidity, pH, electrical conductivity
2-week interval between each collection, to analyze (EC), and total dissolved solids (TDS) were measured
nineteen physicochemical parameters, following the in situ at each sampling site. Water temperature was
methodologies outlined by Gintamo et al., and Garoma measured using a mercury thermometer (Jiangsu Exact
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Volume 22 Issue 1 (2025) 101 doi: 10.36922/AJWEP025040023