DISTRIBUTION AND OCCURRENCE OF CHEMICAL CONTAMINANTS IN THE SELECTED DRINKING WATER SUPPLY IN SAMOA
T. IMO-SEUOTI *
Department of Science, Faculty of Science, National University of Samoa, Samoa.
P. AMOSA
Faculty of Science, National University of Samoa, Samoa.
F. LATU
Faculty of Science, National University of Samoa, Samoa.
V. VAURASI
Faculty of Science, National University of Samoa, Samoa.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study presents a baseline water quality data on the distribution and occurrence of potential chemical contaminants in the selected drinking water supply in Samoa. Water samples were collected and were analysed for nitrate, chlorides, fluorides, lead and copper. The concentration ranged from 0.24 mg/L to 0.29 mg/L (lead), 10 mg/L to 15 mg/L (chloride), 0.30 mg/L to 0.59 mg/L (fluoride), 1.10 mg/L to 1.90 mg/L (nitrate) and 0.19 mg/L to 0.39 mg/L (copper). All concentrations were below the permissible maximum concentration of environment quality standard – World Health Organisation (WHO) except for lead.
Keywords: Contaminants, lead; nitrate, drinking water, Samoa