Zeinab Tahernezhad - Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
Zabihollah Yousefi - Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
Nouraddin Mousavinasab - Health Sciences Research Center AND Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran

The purpose of present study was to evaluate fluoride, nitrate, iron, manganese and total hardness in drinking water of wells and reservoirs in Fereidonkenar, Mazandaran, Northern Iran and compare the results with national and international standards. This cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out on data during five years from the spring of 2008 until the autumn of 2013. Studies were performed on 430 samples in the different seasons and years taken from water and wastewater company (WWC). The results showed that the average fluoride, nitrate, iron, manganese, total hardness concentrations obtained were 0.42, 10.2, 0.136, 0.03, 382.28 mg/l, respectively. The analysis showed a negative correlation between nitrate and fluoride, iron and manganese and a positive correlation with the hardness. The mean fluoride concentration was less than the standard. Total hardness value was more than recommend standard. Nitrate was below 50 mg/l, in accordance with national and international standards. The amount of iron and manganese in drinking water were acceptable. So, except for low fluoride and high total hardness, there was no any problem in other investigated parameters.

Drinking water, Fluoride, Nitrates, Iron, Manganese, Hardness