Determination of aluminum levels of drinking waters in Adana Province

In this study, determination of aluminum contents of drinking water from metal and plastic pipes in drinking water distribution systems, pH and conductivity values of drinking water and also the relationship between pH and aluminum content of the water in Adana province was aimed. For the research, totally 84 were analyzed of which; 80 samples from plastic and metal pipes of Çukurova, Seyhan, Yüreğir and Sarıçam districts 3 samples from natural spring water and 1 sample from Çatalan Dam. The pH and conductivities of the waters were analyzed by electrode-holding dual-channel laboratory type digital multimeter, aluminum contents were analyzed by ICP-MS. According to the analysis results, the pH, conductivity and aluminum values of all samples collected comply with the national and international standards. The pH values of mains and natural spring waters were 7.92 ± 0.15 and 7.88 ± 0.29, respectively. Aluminum is not detected in the sample taken from the main dam providing water to the network. On the other hand, the mean aluminum content in the water samples taken from the metal pipes was 2.43+1.86 μg/L, while the mean aluminum content in the samples taken from the plastic pipes was 0 μg/L. This indicates that aluminum is passing through drinking water from metal pipes. There was a positive correlation between pH and aluminum (p <0.05). As a result of this research, the water from metal pipes contain aliminium and the material of the water pipes is a risk for aluminum contamination. In order to provide safe drinking water, plastic pipes instead of metal pipes should be used in drinking water distribution systems of the cities.