Chemical and Bacteriological Control of Drinking Water from 15 Villages in Côte d'Ivoire

Abstract

The High percentage of diarrhea-related child deaths in Africa is related to water, sanitation and hygiene. In Cote d'Ivoire, 20% of the population feeds on water from unimproved water sources and surface water. These waters are not taken into account in the sanitary monitoring of drinking water in the country. Thus, this study aimed to control the quality of the main drinking water sources in several Ivorian localities without a drinking water supply system. The methodological approach was to carry out a campaign to collect water samples from the main sources of drinking water supply in fifteen villages in five regions of Cote d'Ivoire: Agnebi tiassa, Gontougo, Kabadougou, Sud-comoe and Nawa. On these samples, the classical physicochemical parameters were determined by electrochemical and spectrophotometric methods. Microbiological analysis was performed by membrane filtration technique and pesticides by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The results showed that the waters are characterized by mineralization ranging from 23.80 to 650 μScm-1, an acidic pH in 63% of cases, an high turbidity values (37% of cases), a color (30% of cases), in iron (20% of cases) and nitrites (17% of cases). All waters are contaminated by indicator germs of faecal pollution. A carbamate pesticide, terbucarb, was identified in 67% of the samples. In conclusion, the waters of the fifteen localities are of unsatisfactory quality and unfit for human consumption. Authorities should take measures to ensure the treatment, protection and continuous improvement of water quality in these areas in order to preserve population's health.