Assessment of interactions between raw water from the N'Djili river, groundwater and water treated by the Water Distribution Administration in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

Abstract

Background: Water has an important place in the life of human beings. Regardless of the uses of water, water intended for human consumption must be clean. Despite the fact that the catchments of this water are chemically and microbiologically polluted. The objective of this study is to evaluate the interactions between types of water including that intended for human consumption in the city of Kinshasa. Methods: Our analytical and experimental study based on laboratory analysis which was carried out over a period of approximately one month (the month of September 2023) while respecting a certain number of steps. This involves geoenvironmental investigation, geographic location, collection and analysis of samples as well as interpretation of the results. Results: After our chemical analyses, we found that the pH of the water is very acidic, the turbidity of the water analyzed is normal, the conductivity is below normal as well as the permanganate index, nitrites and chlorides. Phosphate and nitrates exceed the normal value. Bacteriological analyzes show the development of colonies with the presence of total and fecal coliforms and Escherichia Coli. Conclusion: The results of the analyzes showed that the water is contaminated and polluted chemically and biologically by chemicals (through the abusive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides which release nitrogen, phosphorus and chlorine) coming from the activities agricultural and livestock farming.