Evaluation of Borehole Water Quality in Rural-Areas Of Northern Malawi: Case of Zombwe in Mzimba

This study was conducted to evaluate quality of water from boreholes (n=20) in Zombwe Extension Planning Area (EPA), Mzimba in Northern Malawi to ascertain their safety. Desktop studies and participatory approaches were employed to assess the socio-economic activities and water supply regime in the study areas. Water samples were analyzed for selected physico-chemical parameters: pH, conductivity (EC), turbidity, water temperature, nitrate ( NO 3 − ), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), zinc (Zn), fluoride (F-), and sulphate ( SO 4 2 − ). In-situ and laboratory analyses were carried out using portable meters and standard procedures. The results were compared with national standards (Malawi Bureau of Standards - MBS) for boreholes and shallow well water quality and international standards (World Health Organization - WHO) for drinking water. The following ranges were obtained for all the sites: pH (6.00-7.80), EC (437-3128 μS/cm), turbidity (0.10-5.80 NTU), water temperature (27.0-30.60 °C), NO 3 − (0.30-30.00 mg/L), F- (0.10-8.10 mg/L), Mg (31.00-91.00 mg/L), Ca (20.00-197.10 mg/L), SO 4 2 − (10.20-190 mg/L), Fe (0.10-3.60 mg/L) and Zn (0.00-5.10 mg/L). In general, several sites (>80%, n=20) complied with both MBS and WHO limits. No significant differences (p>0.05) was observed for most parameters (>65%, n=11). Generally, levels of groundwater pollution were not significant in the area despite some parameters such as Ca...
Source: Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts ABC - Category: Science Source Type: research