Investigation on the Quality of Groundwater in Rural Fengtai District

Objectives To investigate the quality of groundwater in rural Fengtai District, Beijing, and to provide a scientific basis for rural water improvement.

Method A total of 313 wells were investigated and 27 kinds of water indexes of groundwater and treated water samples were detected, the results were assessed according to the "Standards for Drinking Water Quality"(GB 5749-2006).

Results Qualified rates of total hardness, nitrate, sulfate, chloride, zinc, iron and total bacteria were 6.71%, 16.88%, 96.17%, 97.76%, 97.12%, 99.04% and 93.93% respectively, those of other indexes were 100%.Average concentrations of total hardness and nitrate were 680 ±145 mg/L and 28.5 ±12.1 mg/L, respectively.The average concentration of total hardness of wells with a depth of 70m to 90m was higher(816 ±166 mg/L).The average concentration of nitrate for wells located at Huaxiang area was higher (34 ±14 mg/L).General qualified rates of groundwater in plain and mountainous areas were 3.57% and 76.47% respectively.The general qualified rate of treated water from 21 wells, which had been equipped with advanced treatment facilities, was 76.19%.

Conclusions Higher total hardness and higher nitrate contents were the main factors influencing the quality of groundwater in rural Fengtai district.The hardness and nitrate content of water were significantly different in wells with different depth in different areas.The quality of water from deep wells in mountainous areas was better than that in plain areas.The results indicated that the improvement of rural drinking water should be carried out.