Fluoride Concentration In Rural Drinking Water Resources of Divandareh County Using Geographic Information System (GIS)

Groundwater is the major source of essential minerals that are necessary to human body at specific concentrations; Fluoride is a water mineral that is effective for health and reducing tooth decay. Its high concentration can cause skeletal disorders¡ fluorosis¡ gastrointestinal and neurological disorders¡ too. Drinking water is the main way of getting fluoride¡ so it’s monitoring is essential. Therefore¡ this study aimed to measure the fluoride concentration of Divandareh County rural drinking and showing using geographic information system.
In this cross-sectional study¡ 99 points including 59 wells¡ 18 springs and 22 tanks in 78 villages of Divandareh were chosen to measure their fluoride content. Sampling was conducted in the two seasons i.e.¡ dehydration season (October-November) and wet season (late April and May). The sampling was done using polyethylene containers; then transferred to the laboratory and fluoride content measured using ion chromatography (Metrohm 882 compact IC plus model).
The results showed fluoride concentration for 40.5% water samples of dehydration season is more than the standard level¡ while only 33 percent of samples were out of standard level (81.8% of them was more than the standard and 18.2% was less than the standard).
The fluoride concentration in the water sample of south rural of Divandareh were more acceptable. The obtained results suggested potential for excessive fluoride content in drinking water¡ however¡ these study results indicated low fluoride levels were more common. The GIS approach used in this case study suggests a easy to use and quick understand of water quality¡ so attempt to prepare the fluoride map for all Kurdistan province is recommended.