Study on Physico–chemical Properties and Some Heavy Metal Contents in Public Water Sources in Tuzla and Its Surrounding, Bosnian and Herzegovina

This paper presents the results of physico-chemical parameters and heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb and
Cd) contents in water sources of public supply of Tuzla and the surrounding area, as alternative
sources of water supply. The study area was divided into six (6) sampling sites and their respective
position was detected using GPS device (MAGELLAN EXPLORIST 210). The heavy metals were
determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS), While, the physico-chemical
parameters (pH, electrical conductivity (EC), carbonate, total hardness, nitrate (NO3 -N), nitrite (NO2 -
N), ammonia (NH3 -N), KMnO4 and chlorides were determined using standard methods. The heavy
metal contents: Cu (1-6 μg/L) and Zn (1-2 μg/L). Pb was only detected Simin Han well water at 2 μg/L.
Cd was below detection limits in all samples. The levels of Zn, Cu, Cd and Pb in Tuzla and its
surrounding alternative drinking sources are within the permissible limits according to the Regulations
on the safety of drinking water of Bosnia and Herzegovina and WHO. The physico–chemical
properties of the water samples from the study area are within the recommended level of exposure,
except for ammonia in the well of Miladije 2 and pH of Miladije 1. Concentrations of the investigated
parameters in samples of drinking water alternative sources of public supply of Tuzla and its
surrounding area within the allowed limits according to World.