Metal content of drinking water supplied to the city of Maracaibo, Venezuela

Total dissolved aluminium, calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium and sodium concentrations were measured in drinking water supplied to the city of Maracaibo, Venezuela during a 4 month sampling period in 1991 that included dry and wet seasons. Mean concentrations were: 533 ug aluminium per litre, 32 mg calcium per litre, 167 ug iron per litre, 2 mg potassium per litre, 5 mg magnesium per litre, and 16 mg sodium per litre. There were seasonal variations for aluminium, potassium and magnesium. Aluminium levels were consistently higher than levels accepted by most international water quality criteria, probably because of the inadequate flocculation treatment given to raw water. The rest of the metals studied showed concentrations within acceptable values of drinking waters. There are 67 references.