Assessing the Quality of Undeveloped Spring Water Consumed Directly by the Local Population of Kasaï in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Objective: The present study assesses the quality of undeveloped spring water consumed directly by the local population of the province of Kasaï in the D.R. Congo in order to satisfy sustainable access to drinking water in the province of Kasaï.

Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in the province of Kasai, in the villages of Kamupafu, Kabilowa, Kayonga, Kankondo, Kankala, Lunyanya and Kumbikumbi in the town of Tshikapa. The study covered the period from September 29 to October 24, 2022.

The water samples taken (27) were prepared in the laboratory according to standard procedures and a series of physico-chemical and microbiological characterization analyzes were carried out in the field and in the laboratory. The data collected was processed and analyzed using SigmaStat 11.0 statistical software.

Results: Among other results obtained, it appears that the average pH was between 4.6±0.15 and 6.96±0.43; the EC between 12.91±0.51 µS.cm-1 at the Dido/Milonga spring and 26.87±3.00 µS.cm-1 at the Tshitenga spring. The turbidity, the soluble ion (NO3-, F-), and arsenic (As) contents in the water reveal that with the exception of the turbidity in the Kamitutungulu spring (10 ± 1.04 NTU), the concentration of the other elements in the water from all the springs studied complies with WHO recommendations for drinking water quality. In addition, the average values (CFU 100 mL-1) of total coliforms vary between 18 (KAMANKONDE/ROBERT) and 81 (KATOKA 3) for the water of all the springs.

Conclusion: Scientific support is therefore suggested for the various actions carried out by numerous organizations or research centers in terms of drinking water supply and hygiene through the establishment of village water supply structures, communication for a change in behavior and socio-economic actions in favor of disadvantaged grassroots communities in a sustainable perspective.