TITLE:
Problematic of Drinking Water Access in Rural Area: Case Study of the Sourou Valley in Burkina Faso
AUTHORS:
Savadogo Boubacar, Kaboré Aminata, Zongo Dramane, Poda Jean Noel, Bado Hortense, Rosillon Francis, Dayeri Dianou
KEYWORDS:
Drinking Water; Chemistry; Bacteriology; Pollution; Sourou; Burkina Faso
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Environmental Protection,
Vol.4 No.1,
January
25,
2013
ABSTRACT: Safe drinking water access for rural
populations in developing countries remains a challenge for a sustainable
development. The
study aims to investigate the drinking water quality and the factors affecting
this quality in the Sourou valley in Burkina Faso. A total of 135 water
samples were collected in sterile glass bottles during the dry seasons 2007,
2008, and 2012 from 10 drillings and 5 wells. Fifteen physicochemical parameters and
two fecal pollution indicators (Escherichia
coli and fecal Coliforms) were monitored based on laboratory standard
methods. Datas were analyzed, using the Student t’ test and XLSTAT 7.5.2
statistical software. From results obtained, water quality was related to water
source and sampling period as well (p 0.0001). 30% of
drillings provided water with nitrates concentration over the World Health
Organization (WHO) guideline value. High turbidity was also observed for some
drillings. Moreover, 90% of drillings showed water total hardness largely over
the WHO threshold value. Water from drillings were exempt of fecal pollution,
contrasting with the wells one which appeared uniformly polluted with
concentrations exceeding sometimes 103 and 104 CFU/100 ml
for E. coli and fecal Coliforms,
respectively. Field investigations showed a preference of wells as drinking
water source, and that appeared related to the lack of self-management of
drillings and to cultural considerations. Overall, this study highlighted that
a regular survey of water quality, management of protection zones around
drinking water sources, sensitization on water resources self-management,
hygiene and health issues, and providing appropriate household disinfection
methods could help advancing to reach an effective safe drinking water access
for rural populations in the country.