Effect of Different Disinfecting Agents on Heavy Metals During Water Treatment

Aims: The aim of this study to evaluate the effect of huwa-san and chlorine as disinfecting agents on heavy metals during water treatment.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, October 6 university (Medical Unit IV) and Inorganic laboratory, Central laboratory, Greater Cairo Drinking Water Company, Fustat water treatment plant, between June 2012 and Jan. 2013.

Methodology: Nile water samples were taken from water intake throughout the fustat plant, treated with different doses of huwa-san and chlorine to evaluate their effect on the levels of water contained from Al, Zn, Cr, Ni, Fe, Pb and Cu.

Results: It was found that the treatment with huwa-san more effective than chlorine in decreasing Al, Zn, Cr, Ni and Cu at the most doses. Also, it is more effective than chlorine in decreasing Fe and Pb concentrations at the doses 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 ppm while at the dose 7 ppm, the chlorine becomes more effective than huwa-san in decreasing concentration of these elements. Mn showed different results. The chlorine decreased Mn obviously more than huwa-san at all the doses. On the other hand, both of chlorine and huwa-san have the same effect on Zn only at the doses 2 and 3 ppm. The chlorine decreased Ni concentration more than huwa-san at the doses 2 and 3 ppm but huwa-san becomes more effective at the other doses. The results showed that the disinfection with huwa-san more effective results than chlorine at the same doses. 4 ppm of huwa-san represents the most suitable disinfection dose used during the treatment process.

Conclusion: The results showed that the disinfection with huwa-san more effective results than chlorine at the same doses. 4 ppm of huwa-san represents the most suitable disinfection dose used during the treatment process.