Physico-chemical analysis of groundwater in the gazi-mrima hill region of kwale county, Kenya

195 groundwater samples were collected in the dry period of February/March. These were analyzed for Mn, Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn concentration by atomic absorption spectrophotometer and the results compared with the US EPA action levels. Mn and Cd groundwater pollution was the most prevalent with 42 % of all samples having concentration of each element above the EPA action level. 23 % and 11 % of the samples had respectively Pb and Cu levels above the EPA limits while none of the samples had elevated Zn concentration. Overall, 80 % of the groundwater samples had at least one of the heavy metals analyzed above the EPA action level.