AN ANALYSIS OF GROUNDWATER QUALITY IN BOREHOLES AND SHALLOW WELLS

People in villages depend on groundwater sources like boreholes and wells. However, due to the cost of conducting water tests most of these boreholes and wells are not tested to determine the quality of water. This study analysed groundwater quality in boreholes and shallows wells under the jurisdiction of Group Village Head Mpasu. The study involved an experimental design. A total of five boreholes and two shallow wells were purposively selected because they were used for drinking and domestic use. The samples were collected during the dry season. Samples were collected using grab method in sample bottles pre-treated with sodium thiosulphate and transported using a cooler box with ice packs. The samples were analysed for Temperature, pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), Nitrate (NO3-), Chloride (Cl-), Fluoride (F-), Total Hardness and Faecal Coliforms (FC). All physico-chemical parameters were within acceptable standard limits but elevated levels of coliforms were observed for wells and one borehole. Water quality was determined by using groundwater quality index. Pearson’s r correlation was calculated to assess the strength of linear correlation among parameters and between parameters and average distance from pit latrines. Four boreholes had excellent water quality with water quality indices ranging from 4.8 to 21.4. One borehole and two shallow wells had poor water quality with index values ranging from 51.4 to 55.1. Strong positive correlation was observed between EC and Hardness, EC and TDS and TDS and hardness. The r values were 0.84, 0.93 and 0.86 respectively. However, distance from toilets and faecal coliform count showed contradiction to previous studies. Four boreholes failed to meet the minimum acceptable distance from pit latrines as per Malawi Government Standards. This study recommends sensitisation of community members to treat water before drinking because the water may contain harmful microbes from faecal matter. There should also be sensitization on proper siting of toilets to avoid contamination of groundwater sources.