Hazardous water: an assessment of water quality and accessibility in the Likangala Catchment area in Malawi

Abstract

Access to potable water supply remains a serious challenge to the local communities in the Likangala River catchment in southern Malawi. The quality of water resources is generally poor and the supply is inadequate. This paper discusses the results of laboratory analysis of water samples collected from selected water points in the Likangala Basin including the Likangala River itself, existing boreholes and hand dug wells, Likangala Irrigation Scheme and Lake Chilwa at Kachulu harbour. It shows that the water is grossly polluted with faecal matter which comes from the disposal of sewage effluents by different institutions in the Municipality of Zomba. On the other hand, studies conducted on household accessibility to potable water supply indicate that more than 60% of the human population living in the catchment area depends on unprotected traditional wells and the Likangala River for domestic water supply requirements. The poor quality of the water in the catchment area and the inadequacy of water supply facilities have been noted to be the major causes for the recurrent outbreaks of water associated diseases, especially cholera, that affect the local community periodically.

Keywords: access; water quality; Likangala river; Malawi