EC Nutrition

Research Article Volume 21 Issue 1 - 2026

Characterization of Physicochemical and Bacteriological Quality of Drinking Water and Associated Health Risks in Haramaya District, Eastern Ethiopia

Abera Atumo Ante1*, Minbale Aschale2, Mengistu Mengesha Maja1, Deressa Boja Adugna1, Tamrat Kassa Abegaz1 and Arbo Feyisa Bobasa1

1School of Natural Resources Management and Environmental Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Haramaya University, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
2Bio and Emerging Technology Institute, Ministry of Innovation and Technology, Ethiopia

*Corresponding Author: Abera Atumo Ante, School of Natural Resources Management and Environmental Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Haramaya University, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia.
Received: October 17, 2025; Published: January 05, 2026



Access to safe drinking water is vital component of public health interventions. However, drinking water in Eastern Ethiopia, including those in Haramaya District is exposed to various contaminants and contributing to public health risks. This study aims to assess the physicochemical and bacteriological qualities of drinking water and the associated public health risks in Haramaya District using a cross-sectional study. Water samples were analyzed for pH (7.06 to 7.763), T℃ (20.12 to 23.25°C), turbidity (0.04 to 4.82 NTU), EC (83.564 to 400.11 µS/cm), TDS (400.1 to 1000 mg/L), and FRC (0 to 0.303 mg/L), Cl- (95. 133 to 198.133 mg/L), SO42- (50.45 to 225.4 mg/L), TA (234.09 to 268.1 mg/L), TH (530.17 to 1800.1 mg/L), Ca (30.04 to 47.17 mg/L), Mg (5.66 to 8.85 mg/L), K (0.68 to 10.12 mg/L), Na (13.52 to 21.47 mg/L), Mn (0 to 0.15 mg/L), Fe (0 to 0.49 mg/L), Cu (0.05 to 0.95 mg/L), Zn (0.03 to 0.42 mg/L), TC (9 to 27.9 CFU/100 mL), and E. coli (0 to 4.4 CFU/100 mL). Heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Pb, and Ni) were below methods of detection limits, indicating that water sources were free from toxic heavy metal. Most physicochemical parameters met standard limits set by Ethiopian Standards (ES) and World Health Organization (WHO), but 75% of the water samples indicated a moderate health risk due to poor water handling practices and natural impacts in some extent. Therefore, there is a critical need of intervention for sustainable drinking water management to reduce public health risks.

 Keywords: Bacteriological Parameters; Drinking Water Quality; Water Sources; Water Quality Guidelines; Physicochemical Parameters; Health Risk

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Abera Atumo Ante., et al. “Characterization of Physicochemical and Bacteriological Quality of Drinking Water and Associated Health Risks in Haramaya District, Eastern Ethiopia”. EC Nutrition  21.1 (2026): 01-21.

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