Evaluation of water quality from hand-pump and hand-dug well in southern Sierra Leone

Abstract

InformationThis study delves into the physicochemical and bacteriological characteristics of the Bonganema hand-pump and the Njala Junction hand-dug well, both vital sources of water for drinking and domestic purposes in the Kori Chiefdom of southern Sierra Leone.We meticulously analyzed a range of physicochemical parameters, including pH, electrical conductivity (EC), turbidity, total dissolved solids (TDS), and concentrations of sodium (Na mg/L), magnesium (Mg mg/L), calcium (Ca mg/L), iron (Fe mg/L), zinc (Zn mg/L), and copper (Cu mg/L).Additionally, we assessed crucial microbiological factors, focusing on both faecal and non-faecal coliforms.The water samples were transported to the Environmental Management and Quality Control Laboratory at Njala University, where they underwent rigorous analysis.The findings were then compared with the guidelines established by the World Health Organization (WHO), ensuring a thorough understanding of water quality and safety in this important region.The physical parameters of both the hand-pump and hand-dug well were under within the WHO guidelines.However, the hand-pump exhibited a concerning turbidity level of 8.46 NTU, significantly surpassing the WHO standard for drinking water turbidity of less than 5.0 NTU.While the chemical parameters for both sources remained within acceptable limits, the iron content raised alarms: the hand-pump recorded 0.67 mg/L, and the hand-dug well measured 2.817 mg/L, both well above the WHO's permissible threshold of less than 0.3 mg/L.The bacteriological analysis of the hand-pump revealed alarming levels of faecal coliform at 16.67 and non-faecal coliform at 15.00, both of which surpassed the World Health Organization (WHO) safety limits.Likewise, the hand-dug well-presented even more concerning figures, with faecal coliform levels at 30.67 and non-faecal coliform at 28.67.Moreover, every water sample assessed demonstrated disturbingly high concentrations of NTUs, iron (Fe), faecal coliform, and non-faecal coliform, all far exceeding the WHO limits.As a result, this water is unequivocally deemed unfit for drinking and other domestic uses, underscoring the urgent need for intervention and improvement in water safety.