Status of water quality in the springs of Huye Town, Rwanda

Abstract

The treatment and supply of drinking water in Rwanda is carried out by Water and Sanitation Corporation (WASAC), a state owned public company. However, WASAC is not able to supply water to all households. Consequently, the non-serviced households depend on springs to meet their water requirements. However, water quality in these springs is barely known. This study was conducted to establish baseline water quality in the rural areas around Huye Township. Interviews were conducted and questionnaires were administered within the population of the project area. Subsequently bacteriological, physical and chemical parameters were analysed at Laboratoire d’Hygiène de l’Eau et des Denrées Alimentaires (LHEDA). Results showed that in dry season pH of water from springs (6.21) and from containers (5.62) were slightly acidic. In the rainy season all springs were polluted with Faecal Coli forms, Streptococcus and Total Coliforms and for Total Aerobic Flora at 62.5%. Escherichia coli contamination was quite high (25%) for water from family containers which was not the case in the water directly taken from the spring implying that more contamination occurs during water transportation and storage. There is therefore need to undertake spring protection and insitu water treatment at household level.