The quality of water in small community supplies of Kingolwira village, Morogoro, Tanzania

Abstract

Water quality is an important aspect in human health, as the majority of infectious diseases that cause morbidity
and mortality in population are water related. The present study was undertaken to assess the quality of water in Kingolwira,
Morogoro Rural District, Tanzania. Water was collected from different sites in the village and analysed for a period of six
months. Physical, chemical and microbiological qualities of water were examined. The pH of the water ranged from 7.02
to 7.20 and the water temperature ranged from 25.7°C to 27.0°C. The total dissolved solids of the water samples ranged
from 110 to 510 ppm. The water contained considerable levels of lead and copper ranging from 0.034 to 0.090 ppm and
0.022 to 0.030 ppm, respectively. Total water hardness ranged from 19.60 to 228.10 ppm as calcium carbonate. The total
viable counts and faecal coliform counts ranged from 2.75x10³ to 5.4 x 10³ c.f.u/ml and 0.93 x10² to 2.1x10² counts/100ml,
respectively. Overall, water supplies in the village were judged as of poor quality. Water is usually used for domestic
purposes including cooking, drinking, washing and preparation of infant foods without any treatment. In conclusion therefore,
water in Kingolwira village is of poor quality and needs to be treated before consumption. Theres is also a need for the
rural population to be educated on hazards of using untreated water. In general, sanitary facilities in rural areas in Tanzania
need to be improved in order to avoid health hazards..

Keywords: water, quality, health, Tanzania

Tanzania Health Research Bulletin Vol. 9 (1) 2007: pp. 56-60