Introduction

Groundwater (GW) plays an essential role in maintaining sustainable development of

humankinds. It is able to fulfill the water needs for two-third of the world's population
(Adimalla, 2020). It serves as a primary source for household uses majorly in rural areas of the
world including developing nations (Alam, 2020; Lapworth, 2017). Groundwater is preferred as
a main source of water supply when compared with surface waters, because of its stable
spatiotemporal distribution, low bacteriological contamination, low turbidity and closeness to the
community (Tai T, 2012). However, it is quality may be deteriorated because of human activities
(industrial effluent, wastewater irrigation, land cover change, urbanization, and agriculture
activity such as excessive use of fertilizer and pesticide) (Q. H. a. W. J. Li P, 2014; W. J. a. Q. H.
Li P, 2016; Nigus KebedeWegahita, 2020; PB, 2012) and natural factors (geologic structures and
hydrogeological settings) (Nigus KebedeWegahita, 2020; Yahong Zhou, 2016).

Studies identified water quality parameters in excess concentration above recommended

standards of organizations such as nitrogen pollution (Feifei Chen, 2021; Kuhr P, 2013; M, 2011;
Nigus KebedeWegahita, 2020), fluorine pollution (Daniele L, 2013; Feifei Chen, 2021; Z, 2015),
arsenic pollution (N, 2013), dissolved solids pollution (Muhammad Mohsin, 2013; Yahong
Zhou, 2016), hardness pollution (salts of Ca and Mg) (Muhammad Mohsin, 2013; Nigus
KebedeWegahita, 2020; Yahong Zhou, 2016), iron pollution (Nigus KebedeWegahita, 2020),
manganese pollution (Nigus KebedeWegahita, 2020), sodium pollution (Yahong Zhou, 2016)
and sulfate pollution (Yahong Zhou, 2016).

Different communities in Ethiopia majorly in rural areas are using drinking water from Borehole
groundwater sources, shallow wells and spring (Shigut DA, 2017). Groundwater is also used
majorly as drinking water supply across Ethiopian rift valley areas (Ramya Priya, 2018). The
groundwater chemistry in the Ethiopian rift valley raveled that the chemical composition of
groundwater across the rift valley aquifers is different. Many researchers have reported high
fluoride (F⁻) concentrations in the groundwater of the rift valley (T. Ayenew, 2008; T. Ayenew,
Kebede, S., Alemyahu, T., , 2008; Kawo, 2019; Yitbarek, 2012). The sources of groundwater
pollution are volcanic aquifers as sources for fluoride in the great rift valley (Furi, 2011), liquid
waste discharges from cities in the rift valley for example pollution of groundwater in the Dire
Dawa groundwater basin) (Taye, 1988 ), untreated waste discharge to rivers in Addis Ababa
 (Tamiru, 2004), pollution of groundwater by anthropogenic activities in Matahara region (Dinka,
2015). In general studies revealed that groundwater is contaminated due to uncontrolled waste
management, poor management and use of fertilizers in Ethiopia.

Groundwater treatment needs adequate knowledge, skill and resource (Hasan, 2014). Therefore,
regular monitoring and detailed assessment of its quality will provides an early warning before
contamination and need of expensive cleanup. This literature review is conducted to evaluate
evidences regarding the suitability of groundwater quality for drinking purpose in different parts
of Ethiopia. Published articles in relation to groundwater quality done in Ethiopia were
downloaded. More than eleven papers were first downloaded using Google scholar and their
reputability was checked. Then 11 articles were selected based on their focus on purpose of
groundwater for drinking. From the eleven papers 7 papers were selected based on their major
focus and number of parameters used to assess the suitability of groundwater for drinking
purpose. The maximum value, minimum value and average value for each parameter from each
study were gathered and compared with the standards. The reviews were focused on three main
things. First, it evaluated evidences regarding the suitability of groundwater quality for drinking
in different parts of Ethiopia using standards. Second, it pointed out the real differences among
different studies done in Ethiopia in evaluating the groundwater suitability for drinking purpose.
Third, it recommends new directions to improve the research quality and their findings in the
sight of scientific scholars.

Study areas from literature

The studies reviewed were mainly conducted in three main regions of Ethiopia such as Oromia
region, Tigray region and southern Ethiopia.

Title of the research Study areas Reference

The Secret of the Main Campus Water-Wells Main Campus Water-Wells, Arba (Kibru Gedam Berhanu,
Minch City in SNNP region 2021)
Determination of the Physicochemical Quality Sebeta Hawas special Zone in (Gintamo, 2022)
of Groundwater and its Potential Health Risk Oromia Region
for Drinking
Evaluation of Groundwater Quality and Raya Valley, Tigray Regional (Gebrerufael Hailu Kahsay,
Suitability for Drinking and Irrigation State 2019)
Purposes Using Hydrochemical Approach
Groundwater Quality Assessment Using North East of Adama Town, (Kawo, 2019)
Geospatial Techniques and WQI Oromia Region
Evaluation of groundwater quality for drinking Abaya-Chemo sub-basin of Great (Gnanachandrasamy, 2021)
and irrigation purposes using GIS-based water Rift Valley in SNNP region
quality index
Potential Human Health Risks Due to Bilate River Basin of Southern (Muhammed Haji, 2021)
Groundwater Fluoride Contamination: A Case Main Ethiopian Rift, Ethiopia
Study Using Multi-techniques Approaches
(GWQI, FPI, GIS, HHRA)
Groundwater quality assessment using water Modjo River Basin, Oromia (Karuppannan, 2018)
quality index and GIS technique Region, Ethiopia

Adimalla, N., Dhakate, R., Kasarla, A. & Taloor, A. K. (2020). Appraisal of groundwater quality for drinking
and irrigation purposes in Central Telangana, India. Groundwater for Sustainable Development.
10.
Alam, R., Ahmed, Z. and Howladar, M.F. (2020). Evaluation of heavy metal contamination in water, soil
and plant around the open landfill site Mogla Bazar in Sylhet, Bangladesh. Groundwater for
Sustainable Development. 10, 100311.
Ayenew, T. (2008). The distribution and hydrogeological controls of fluoride in the groundwater of
central Ethiopian rift and adjacent highlands. Environmental Geology, 54(6), 1313-1324. doi:
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-007-0914-4
Ayenew, T., Kebede, S., Alemyahu, T., . (2008). Environmental isotopes and hydrochemical study as
applied to surface water and groundwater interaction in the Awash river basin. Hydrological
Processes, 8. doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.6716
Daniele L, C. M., Vallejos A, Dı´az-Puga M and Pulido-Bosch A. (2013). Geochemical simulations to assess
the fluorine origin in Sierra de Gador groundwater (SE Spain). Geofluids. 2(13), 194–203.
Dinka, M. O., Loiskandl, W. and Ndambuki, J. M. (2015). Hydrochemical characterization of various
surface water and groundwater resources available in Matahara areas, Fantalle Woreda of
Oromiya region. Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies, 3, 444-456. doi:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrh.2015.02.007
Feifei Chen, L. Y., Gang Mei, Yinsheng Shang, Fansheng Xiong and Zhenbin Ding (2021). Groundwater
Quality and Potential Human Health Risk Assessment for Drinking and Irrigation Purposes: A
Case Study in the Semiarid Region of North China. Water, 13. doi:
https://doi.org/10.3390/w13060783
Furi, W., Razack, M., Abiye, T.A., Ayenew, T. and Legesse. (2011). Fluoride enrichment mechanism and
geospatial distribution in the volcanic aquifers of the Middle Awash basin, Northern Main
Ethiopian Rift. Journal of African Earth Sciences, 60, 315-327. doi:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2011.03.004
Gebrerufael Hailu Kahsay, T. G., Fethanegest Woldemariyam and Tesfa-alem Gebreegziabher Emabye.
(2019). Evaluation of Groundwater Quality and Suitability for Drinking and Irrigation Purposes
Using Hydrochemical Approach: The Case of Raya Valley, Northern Ethiopia. 11(1), 70-89. doi:
http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/mejs.v11i1.5
Gintamo, B., Khan, Mohammed Azhar, Gulilat, Henok, Shukla, Rakesh Kumar and Mekonnen, Zeleke.
(2022). Determination of the Physicochemical Quality of Groundwater and its Potential Health
Risk for Drinking in Oromia, Ethiopia. Environmental Health Insights, 16(1), 1–11. doi:
https://doi.org/10.1177/11786302221096051
Gnanachandrasamy, T. T. A. a. G. (2021). Evaluation of groundwater quality for drinking and irrigation
purposes using GIS-based water quality index in urban area of Abaya Chemo sub-basin of Great
Rift Valley, Ethiopia. Applied Water Science, 11(148). doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-021-
01482-6
Hasan, S. (2014). Effect of Climate Change on Groundwater Quality for Irrigation Purpose in a Limestone
Enriched Area. Doctoral Dissertation.
Karuppannan, N. S. K. a. S. (2018). Groundwater quality assessment using water quality index and GIS
technique in Modjo River Basin, central Ethiopia. Journal of African Earth Sciences, 147 300–311.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2018.06.034
Kawo, S. K. a. N. S. (2019). Groundwater Quality Assessment Using Geospatial Techniques and WQI in
North East of Adama Town, Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Hydrospatial Analysis, 3(1), 22-36. doi:
https://doi.org/10.21523/gcj3.19030103
Kibru Gedam Berhanu, A. M. T., Tamru Tesseme Aragaw, Gashaw Sintayehu Angualie and Alemshet
Belayneh Yismaw. (2021). The Secret of the Main Campus Water-Wells, Arba Minch University,
Ethiopia. Journal of Environmental and Public Health, 9. doi:
https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/4248505
Kuhr P, H. J., Kreins P, Kunkel R, Tetzlaff B, Vereecken H and Wendland F. (2013). Model based
assessment of nitrate pollution of water resources on a federal state level for the dimensioning
of agro-environmental reduction strategies: the North Rhine-Westphalia (Germany) case study.
Water Resource Management, 27, 885–909. doi: 10.1007/s11269-012-0221-z
Lapworth, D., Nkhuwa, D., Okotto-Okotto, J., Pedley, S., Stuart, M., Tijani, M. & Wright, J. (2017). Urban
groundwater quality in sub-Saharan Africa: current status and implications for water
security and public health. Hydrogeology Journal, 25, 1093-1116.
Li P, Q. H. a. W. J. (2014). Accelerate research on land creation. Nature. 510, 29–31.
Li P, W. J. a. Q. H. (2016). Hydrochemical appraisal of groundwater quality for drinking and irrigation
purposes and the major influencing factors: a case study in and around Hua County, China. Arab
J Geosci, 9(1), 15. doi: 10.1007/s12517-015-2059-1
M, J. (2011). Nitrate pollution of groundwater in Toyserkan, western Iran. Environvironmental Earth
Science, 62, 907–913. doi: 10.1007/s12665-010-0576-5
Muhammad Mohsin, S. S., Faryal Asghar and Farrukh Jamal. (2013). Assessment of Drinking Water
Quality and its Impact on Residents Health in Bahawalpur City. International Journal of
Humanities and Social Science, 3(15).
Muhammed Haji, S. K., Dajun Qin, Hassen Shube and Nafyad Serre Kawo. (2021). Potential Human
Health Risks Due to Groundwater Fluoride Contamination: A Case Study Using Multi-techniques
Approaches (GWQI, FPI, GIS, HHRA) in Bilate River Basin of Southern Main

Ethiopian Rift, Ethiopia. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 80, 277–293. doi:
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-020-00802-2
N, N. T. a. B. (2013). Evaluating the spatial distribution of quantitative risk and hazard level of arsenic
exposure in groundwater, case study of Qorveh County, Kurdistan Iran. Iran Journal
Environvironmental Health Science Engineering. doi: 10.1186/1735-2746-10-30
Nigus KebedeWegahita, L. M., Jiankui Liu, Tingwei Huang, Qiankun Luo and Jiazhong Qian. (2020).
Spatial Assessment of Groundwater Quality and Health Risk of Nitrogen Pollution for Shallow
Groundwater Aquifer around Fuyang City, China. Water, 12. doi: 10.3390/w12123341
PB, B. S. a. N. (2012). Analysis of drinking water of different places – A review. International Journal of
Engineering Research, 2.
Ramya Priya, R. a. E., L. (2018). Evaluation of geogenic and anthropogenic impacts on spatio-temporal
variation in quality of surface water and groundwater along Cauvery River, India. Environmental
Earth Science, 77(2).
Shigut DA, L. G., Irge DD, and Ahmad T. (2017). Assessment of physico-chemical quality of borehole and
spring water sources supplied to Robe Town, Oromia region, Ethiopia. Applied water science
155-164.
Tai T, W. J., Wang Y and Bai L. (2012). Groundwater pollution risk evaluation method research progress
in our country. Journal Beijing Norm Univ Natural Science, 06, 648–653.
Tamiru, A. (2004). Assessment of pollution status and groundwater vulnerability mapping of the Addis
Ababa water supply aquifers, Ethiopia.
Taye, A. (1988 ). Pollution of the hydrogeologic system of Dire Dawa groundwater basin.
Yahong Zhou, A. W., Junfeng Li, Liangdong Yan and Jing Li. (2016). Groundwater Quality Evaluation and
Health Risk Assessment in the Yinchuan Region, Northwest China. Expo Health, 8, 443–456. doi:
10.1007/s12403-016-0219-5
Yitbarek, A., Razack M., Ayenew, T. Zemedagegnehu, E. and Azagegn. T., . (2012). Hydrogeological and
hydrochemical framework of Upper Awash River basin, Ethiopia: With special emphasis on inter-
basins groundwater transfer between Blue Nile and Awash Rivers. Journal of African Earth
Sciences(65), 46-60. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2012.01.002
Z, W. J. a. S. (2015). Evaluation of shallow groundwater contamination and associated human health risk
in an alluvial plain impacted by agricultural and industrial activities, mid-west China. Expo
Health. 1–19. doi: 10.1007/s12403-015-0170-x