article · Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part A
An epidemiological survey in Kinshasa's N'djili Kilambu neighbourhood found that over 60% of clinic patients between 2013 and 2017 suffered from waterborne diseases. This study investigated the microbial quality of local drinking water sources, including wells and streams. Analysis revealed high levels of Fecal Indicator Bacteria, such as Escherichia coli and Enterococcus, in both dry and wet seasons, with contamination significantly worse during the wet season. This increase is attributed to runoff, open defecation, and overflowing sanitation systems. While most physicochemical parameters met drinking water guidelines, nitrate and nitrite levels did not.
This research highlights a significant public health risk from contaminated drinking water in Kinshasa. Understanding the sources and seasonal variations of contamination is crucial for developing effective interventions to protect communities from waterborne diseases and improve sanitation infrastructure.
The abstract identifies a critical public health problem stemming from unsafe drinking water and inadequate sanitation. This early-stage research provides essential data for public health organisations, water utilities, and urban planners to inform policy, develop infrastructure projects, and implement community-level interventions aimed at improving water quality and reducing disease burden.
AI-generated from the published abstract. Always read the original work before citing.
An epidemiological survey conducted among users of water points and medical institutions in the N'djili Kilambu neighborhood of Kinshasa in Democratic Republic of the Congo, indicates that waterborne diseases have already affected more than 60% of the patients admitted to local clinics between 2013 and 2017. In order to raise public and political awareness about this hazardous health issue resulting from the lack of safely managed sanitation systems, this study investigates the microbial quality of drinking water from local water resources. Water samples were collected from nine wells and streams used as drinking sources, and analyzed for Fecal Indicator Bacteria (FIB), including <i>Escherichia coli</i>, <i>Enterococcus</i>, and Total Coliforms. Physicochemical parameters (pH, electrical conductivity, O<sub>2</sub>, and soluble ions (Na<sup>+</sup>, K<sup>+</sup>, PO<sub>4</sub><sup>3-</sup>, SO<sub>4</sub><sup>2-</sup>, NO<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup>, NO<sub>2</sub><sup>-</sup>) were also analyzed. Except for NO<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup> and NO<sub>2</sub><sup>-</sup>, the average concentrations of the physicochemical parameters and dissolved ions generally meet the guidelines for drinking/domestic water quality. By contrast, the results reveal high levels of FIB in the water samples collected during both dry and wet seasons. The contamination is significantly higher during the wet season compared to dry season, due to increased runoff, open defecation practices, and more frequent overflow of onsite sanitation systems and septic tanks.
This page summarises published work. The authoritative version sits with the publisher.
DOI: 10.1080/10934529.2019.1596702
Is something wrong with this record? Report it or request removal.
Discussion
Have you built on this work, tried to replicate it, or seen it applied in practice? Share what you know. Verified researchers and MARATTO™ domain experts can open a discussion, and any member can reply. Contributions are reviewed before they appear.
No discussion yet. Open the first thread.
New to MARATTO™? Create a free account.
