WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF FAMILY WELLS IN BERATI DISTRICT ALBANIA

Heavy metals are considered as important pollutants of water systems due to their toxic properties, environmental persistence, and the ability to be incorporated into the food chain. The anthropogenic origin of heavy metals in the water systems is related to the industrial and agricultural activity that has been developed around the proper area. In this study the underground water system in Berati district is evaluated based on the assessment of the occurrence and distribution of some heavy metals in the waters of 18 wells located in this area. All samples were filtered with a 0.45μm glass filter and analyzed for the concentration of Pb, Cd, Ni, Cr, Fe, Cu, Al, Zn, Na, K, Ca, Mg using standard procedures. Environmental status of studied water wells is assessed based on the requirements of European Communities Environmental Objectives (Groundwater) Regulations 2010 in terms of whether its ability for human consumption in drinking water or other human uses. The analyses indicated that metals concentrations were lower than the Threshold Values or Mandatory Limit Values. However, the concentration of heavy metals in family well waters varies from sample to sample. Descriptive analyses confirm the anthropogenic origin of Al, Cu, Ni and Fe, while the probability curves confirm that external pressures can contribute to heavy metal levels in the water of wells in the district.