Analysis of drinking water quality in rural areas of Hebei Province, China, 2018—2020

Objective To investigate the current status of drinking water quality in rural areas of Hebei Province in China from 2018 to 2020, and to provide data support for further solving the issues of rural drinking water safety.

Methods Water quality monitoring was conducted in rural areas of Hebei Province from 2018 to 2020, and the results of water quality routine indicators and ammonia-nitrogen were assessed according to the Standards for Drinking Water Quality (GB 5749-2006).

Results From 2018 to 2020, the overall qualified rates of rural drinking water in Hebei Province from high to low were 81.38% in 2020, 68.21% in 2019, and 65.23% in 2018, with a significant difference among the years (χ²=754.69, P < 0.01). The main unqualified indicator was fluoride, followed by total coliforms, nitrate, total numbers of colony, total hardness, chloride, total dissolved solids and sulfate. Excess fluoride content was mainly observed in the southeast of Hebei Province.

Conclusion There is a gradual increase in the qualified rates for rural drinking water quality in Hebei Province from 2018 to 2020. Fluoride and microbiological indicators were the main influencing factors.