Quantitative Assessment of the Chemical Safety of Groundwater Wells in Two Selected Districts of Rwanda

Wondatir Nigatu; Chantal Andutirabose Umuhire; Joseph Nsengimana; Antoine Nsabimana; Sebashongore Dieudonne

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijepp.20150304.14

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Quantitative Assessment of the Chemical Safety of Groundwater Wells in Two Selected Districts of Rwanda

Wondatir Nigatu, Chantal Andutirabose Umuhire, Joseph Nsengimana, Antoine Nsabimana, Sebashongore Dieudonne

Published in International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy (Volume 3, Issue 4)

Received: 17 June 2015 Accepted: 4 July 2015 Published: 15 July 2015

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Abstract

This research was conducted on groundwater wells of Bugesera and Muhanga districts in Rwanda where its physico-chemical parameters were determined as main aim. The study period was between February and May, 2015. A total of 18 water samples were collected from 12 sites. The laboratory experiment focused on the following quantitative determination parameters: Turbidity, pH, Temperature, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Iron, Zinc, Manganese, Nitrate, and Phosphate. Alkalinities (range from 153 to 224 mg/l) in all studied wells were above the standard. Except in one well above the standard, Zinc was detected below the standard in all wells (0.01 up to 0.3 mg/l). Except one well below the range, Iron was found within the normal range in all wells (0.005 – 1.00 mg/l). Manganese was within the normal range in five wells of Bugesera district (0.122 – 0.420 mg/l), whereas below the WHO standard in all wells of Muhanga district (0.003 – 0.087 mg/l). Except one well in Bugesera district all heavy metals in all wells were not exceeded the permissible limits. The samples from Kanogo groundwater well were containing a very high amount of Zinc and Manganese. In some wells detection were found below the standard. TDS (range from 70.5 to 232mg/L), pH (range from5.5 to 6.3) and Electrical conductivity (range from 128 to 335 μs/cm) values in all studied wells were lower than standards provided by Rwanda Bureau of Standards (RBS) and World Health Organization (WHO). This study provides an insight on the quantitative measurements of some chemicals which do have relevance in the use of groundwater wells for domestic consumption. The wells can be utilized with proper management and regular monitoring. However, due to the high amount of heavy metal pollutants in the Kanogo groundwater well of Bugesera district this well should be monitored and treated for the moment. The government and other stakeholders together with the community should seek an alternative safe water supply source. Some preventive measures like planting trees around the well to protect it against entry discharge of residual waste and periodically cleaning of the wells are suggested. It is also important to sensitizing the community so that they can take precautionary measures to the cause; extent and impact of the contamination by these chemicals.

Published in	International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy (Volume 3, Issue 4)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijepp.20150304.14
Page(s)	104-110
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Chemical Safety, Groundwater Wells, Bugesera and Muhanga Districts, Rwanda Bureau of Standards (RBS), World Health Organization (WHO) Standards

References

[1]	Margat, J., and J. van der Gun, “Groundwater around the World”, CRC Press/Balkema, 2013.
[2]	National Groundwater Association, “Facts about Global Groundwater Usage”, 2015. http://www.ngwa.org/Fundamentals/use/Documents/global-groundwater-use-fact-sheet.pdf, accessed on 09/06/2015.
[3]	UNICEF, WHO, “Progress on Drinking Water and Sanitation”, UNICEF, World Health Organization, 2012 Update, p. 10, 2012.
[4]	http://pollutionarticles.blogspot.com/2011/11/groundwater-pollution-facts.html, accessed on 09/06/2015.
[5]	WHO, “Guidelines for drinking water quality”, 4th ed, Water quality standards, World Health Organization, Switzerland, 2011. http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2011/9789241548151_eng.pdf?ua=1
[6]	G.J. Alaerts, N. Khouri, B. Kabir, “Strategies to mitigate arsenic contamination of water supply”, The World Bank, Washington, DC, USA, 2001. http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/arsenicun8.pdf
[7]	Ministry of Lands, Environment, Forests, Water and Mines (MINITERE), “Scaling up Investment and Reforms Through National Program and Performance Contracts”, Emmanuel Nsanzumuganwa, February 2008
[8]	Ministry of Infrastructure, “National Policy & Strategy for Water Supply and Sanitation Services”, Rwanda, February 2010.
[9]	WASAC, “Project for strengthening operation and maintenance of rural water supply systems in Rwanda.” http://www.wasac.rw/
[10]	RS2., “Potable water specification”, 2nd ed, Rwanda Bureau of Standard (RBS), Kigali, 2012.
[11]	Gashugi Elisee, Uwikund Sylvie et.al., “Physico-chemical analysis of groundwater from Rugende II well, Rwamagana district, Rwanda”. East African Journal of Science and Technology, vol 3, No 1, 104-111, 2013.
[12]	WHO, “Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality”, Geneva, 1993. http://www.lenntech.com/applications/drinking/standards/who-s-drinking-water-standards.htm
[13]	Rwanda political map features the international boundary, the country boundaries with their capitals, national capital and other important cities. http://www.mapsofworld.com/rwanda/rwanda-political-map.html
[14]	Merne ME1, S. K., “Systemic and local effects of long-term exposure to alkaline drinking water in rats”. Int J Exp Pathol., 82(4), 213-9, 2001.
[15]	Wei Bai, Linguei Kong, Aiguo Guo, “Effects of physical properties on electrical conductivity.” Journal of Rock Mechanics & Geotechnical Engineering,vol.5(5):406-411, October 2013.
[16]	Bouchard M. and Sauve,S. et al., “Intellectual impairment in school-Age children Exposed to Manganese from drinking water”, Environmental Health Perspectives, 2010. DOI:10./1289/ehp.1002321
[17]	Goyer, R. A., "Toxic Effects of Metals." In Casarett & Doull's Toxicology: Basic Science of Poisons, ed. C. D. Klaassen. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1996.
[18]	Olapade OJ and BO Omitoyin, “Anthropogenic pollution impact on physico–chemical characteristics of Lake Kivu.” African journal of food, agriculture, nutrition and development, Vol.12, 2012.
[19]	M. J. Ellenhorn,D.G.Barceloux,“Medical toxicology: diagnosis and treatment of human poisoning”, New York, Elsevier Science publishing company 1988.

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Wondatir Nigatu, Chantal Andutirabose Umuhire, Joseph Nsengimana, Antoine Nsabimana, Sebashongore Dieudonne. (2015). Quantitative Assessment of the Chemical Safety of Groundwater Wells in Two Selected Districts of Rwanda. International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy, 3(4), 104-110. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20150304.14

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Wondatir Nigatu; Chantal Andutirabose Umuhire; Joseph Nsengimana; Antoine Nsabimana; Sebashongore Dieudonne. Quantitative Assessment of the Chemical Safety of Groundwater Wells in Two Selected Districts of Rwanda. Int. J. Environ. Prot. Policy 2015, 3(4), 104-110. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepp.20150304.14

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Wondatir Nigatu, Chantal Andutirabose Umuhire, Joseph Nsengimana, Antoine Nsabimana, Sebashongore Dieudonne. Quantitative Assessment of the Chemical Safety of Groundwater Wells in Two Selected Districts of Rwanda. Int J Environ Prot Policy. 2015;3(4):104-110. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepp.20150304.14

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@article{10.11648/j.ijepp.20150304.14,
  author = {Wondatir Nigatu and Chantal Andutirabose Umuhire and Joseph Nsengimana and Antoine Nsabimana and Sebashongore Dieudonne},
  title = {Quantitative Assessment of the Chemical Safety of Groundwater Wells in Two Selected Districts of Rwanda},
  journal = {International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy},
  volume = {3},
  number = {4},
  pages = {104-110},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijepp.20150304.14},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20150304.14},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijepp.20150304.14},
  abstract = {This research was conducted on groundwater wells of Bugesera and Muhanga districts in Rwanda where its physico-chemical parameters were determined as main aim. The study period was between February and May, 2015. A total of 18 water samples were collected from 12 sites. The laboratory experiment focused on the following quantitative determination parameters: Turbidity, pH, Temperature, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Iron, Zinc, Manganese, Nitrate, and Phosphate. Alkalinities (range from 153 to 224 mg/l) in all studied wells were above the standard. Except in one well above the standard, Zinc was detected below the standard in all wells (0.01 up to 0.3 mg/l). Except one well below the range, Iron was found within the normal range in all wells (0.005 – 1.00 mg/l). Manganese was within the normal range in five wells of Bugesera district (0.122 – 0.420 mg/l), whereas below the WHO standard in all wells of Muhanga district (0.003 – 0.087 mg/l). Except one well in Bugesera district all heavy metals in all wells were not exceeded the permissible limits. The samples from Kanogo groundwater well were containing a very high amount of Zinc and Manganese. In some wells detection were found below the standard. TDS (range from 70.5 to 232mg/L), pH (range from5.5 to 6.3) and Electrical conductivity (range from 128 to 335 μs/cm) values in all studied wells were lower than standards provided by Rwanda Bureau of Standards (RBS) and World Health Organization (WHO). This study provides an insight on the quantitative measurements of some chemicals which do have relevance in the use of groundwater wells for domestic consumption. The wells can be utilized with proper management and regular monitoring. However, due to the high amount of heavy metal pollutants in the Kanogo groundwater well of Bugesera district this well should be monitored and treated for the moment. The government and other stakeholders together with the community should seek an alternative safe water supply source. Some preventive measures like planting trees around the well to protect it against entry discharge of residual waste and periodically cleaning of the wells are suggested. It is also important to sensitizing the community so that they can take precautionary measures to the cause; extent and impact of the contamination by these chemicals.},
 year = {2015}
}

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TY - JOUR
T1 - Quantitative Assessment of the Chemical Safety of Groundwater Wells in Two Selected Districts of Rwanda
AU - Wondatir Nigatu
AU - Chantal Andutirabose Umuhire
AU - Joseph Nsengimana
AU - Antoine Nsabimana
AU - Sebashongore Dieudonne
Y1 - 2015/07/15
PY - 2015
N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20150304.14
DO - 10.11648/j.ijepp.20150304.14
T2 - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
JF - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
JO - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
SP - 104
EP - 110
PB - Science Publishing Group
SN - 2330-7536
UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20150304.14
AB - This research was conducted on groundwater wells of Bugesera and Muhanga districts in Rwanda where its physico-chemical parameters were determined as main aim. The study period was between February and May, 2015. A total of 18 water samples were collected from 12 sites. The laboratory experiment focused on the following quantitative determination parameters: Turbidity, pH, Temperature, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Iron, Zinc, Manganese, Nitrate, and Phosphate. Alkalinities (range from 153 to 224 mg/l) in all studied wells were above the standard. Except in one well above the standard, Zinc was detected below the standard in all wells (0.01 up to 0.3 mg/l). Except one well below the range, Iron was found within the normal range in all wells (0.005 – 1.00 mg/l). Manganese was within the normal range in five wells of Bugesera district (0.122 – 0.420 mg/l), whereas below the WHO standard in all wells of Muhanga district (0.003 – 0.087 mg/l). Except one well in Bugesera district all heavy metals in all wells were not exceeded the permissible limits. The samples from Kanogo groundwater well were containing a very high amount of Zinc and Manganese. In some wells detection were found below the standard. TDS (range from 70.5 to 232mg/L), pH (range from5.5 to 6.3) and Electrical conductivity (range from 128 to 335 μs/cm) values in all studied wells were lower than standards provided by Rwanda Bureau of Standards (RBS) and World Health Organization (WHO). This study provides an insight on the quantitative measurements of some chemicals which do have relevance in the use of groundwater wells for domestic consumption. The wells can be utilized with proper management and regular monitoring. However, due to the high amount of heavy metal pollutants in the Kanogo groundwater well of Bugesera district this well should be monitored and treated for the moment. The government and other stakeholders together with the community should seek an alternative safe water supply source. Some preventive measures like planting trees around the well to protect it against entry discharge of residual waste and periodically cleaning of the wells are suggested. It is also important to sensitizing the community so that they can take precautionary measures to the cause; extent and impact of the contamination by these chemicals.
VL - 3
IS - 4
ER -

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Author Information

Wondatir Nigatu

Biology Department, University of Rwanda, College of Science and Technology, Kigali, Rwanda
Chantal Andutirabose Umuhire

University of Rwanda, College of Science and Technology, Kigali, Rwanda
Joseph Nsengimana

Biology Department, University of Rwanda, College of Science and Technology, Kigali, Rwanda
Antoine Nsabimana

Faculty of Science, University of Rwanda, College of Science and Technology, Kigali, Rwanda
Sebashongore Dieudonne

Faculty of Science, University of Rwanda, College of Science and Technology, Kigali, Rwanda

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APA Style

Wondatir Nigatu, Chantal Andutirabose Umuhire, Joseph Nsengimana, Antoine Nsabimana, Sebashongore Dieudonne. (2015). Quantitative Assessment of the Chemical Safety of Groundwater Wells in Two Selected Districts of Rwanda. International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy, 3(4), 104-110. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20150304.14

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Wondatir Nigatu; Chantal Andutirabose Umuhire; Joseph Nsengimana; Antoine Nsabimana; Sebashongore Dieudonne. Quantitative Assessment of the Chemical Safety of Groundwater Wells in Two Selected Districts of Rwanda. Int. J. Environ. Prot. Policy 2015, 3(4), 104-110. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepp.20150304.14

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AMA Style

Wondatir Nigatu, Chantal Andutirabose Umuhire, Joseph Nsengimana, Antoine Nsabimana, Sebashongore Dieudonne. Quantitative Assessment of the Chemical Safety of Groundwater Wells in Two Selected Districts of Rwanda. Int J Environ Prot Policy. 2015;3(4):104-110. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepp.20150304.14

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@article{10.11648/j.ijepp.20150304.14,
  author = {Wondatir Nigatu and Chantal Andutirabose Umuhire and Joseph Nsengimana and Antoine Nsabimana and Sebashongore Dieudonne},
  title = {Quantitative Assessment of the Chemical Safety of Groundwater Wells in Two Selected Districts of Rwanda},
  journal = {International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy},
  volume = {3},
  number = {4},
  pages = {104-110},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijepp.20150304.14},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20150304.14},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijepp.20150304.14},
  abstract = {This research was conducted on groundwater wells of Bugesera and Muhanga districts in Rwanda where its physico-chemical parameters were determined as main aim. The study period was between February and May, 2015. A total of 18 water samples were collected from 12 sites. The laboratory experiment focused on the following quantitative determination parameters: Turbidity, pH, Temperature, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Iron, Zinc, Manganese, Nitrate, and Phosphate. Alkalinities (range from 153 to 224 mg/l) in all studied wells were above the standard. Except in one well above the standard, Zinc was detected below the standard in all wells (0.01 up to 0.3 mg/l). Except one well below the range, Iron was found within the normal range in all wells (0.005 – 1.00 mg/l). Manganese was within the normal range in five wells of Bugesera district (0.122 – 0.420 mg/l), whereas below the WHO standard in all wells of Muhanga district (0.003 – 0.087 mg/l). Except one well in Bugesera district all heavy metals in all wells were not exceeded the permissible limits. The samples from Kanogo groundwater well were containing a very high amount of Zinc and Manganese. In some wells detection were found below the standard. TDS (range from 70.5 to 232mg/L), pH (range from5.5 to 6.3) and Electrical conductivity (range from 128 to 335 μs/cm) values in all studied wells were lower than standards provided by Rwanda Bureau of Standards (RBS) and World Health Organization (WHO). This study provides an insight on the quantitative measurements of some chemicals which do have relevance in the use of groundwater wells for domestic consumption. The wells can be utilized with proper management and regular monitoring. However, due to the high amount of heavy metal pollutants in the Kanogo groundwater well of Bugesera district this well should be monitored and treated for the moment. The government and other stakeholders together with the community should seek an alternative safe water supply source. Some preventive measures like planting trees around the well to protect it against entry discharge of residual waste and periodically cleaning of the wells are suggested. It is also important to sensitizing the community so that they can take precautionary measures to the cause; extent and impact of the contamination by these chemicals.},
 year = {2015}
}

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