A Comparative Assessment of Water Quality for Tap and Shallow Wells in Kyawama Compound of Solwezi District

Abstract

All water sources used for domestic purposes must be safe and meet the World Health Organization’s (WHO) water quality standards. In most of the developing countries, shallow wells are critical in providing water for communities in settlement areas. However, poor sanitation and industrial activities can cause multiple contamination both from fecal matter and chemical effluents, which affects water quality. This study assessed water quality from shallow wells and tap water sources in Kyawama of Solwezi District of Zambia. Analysis of pH, conductivity, turbidity, microbial contamination, and chemical pollutants revealed substantial differences after the analysis. Tap water generally met WHO and Zambian outlined water safety standards, while shallow well water exhibited high contamination levels of coliform bacteria, specifically E. coli. The Water Quality Index (WQI) affirms that shallow well water from Kyawama compound is unsafe and could pose a risk to the people consuming untreated, as the WQI values indicate poor to unfit for human consumption status compared to the excellent to very good quality of kiosk tap water. The research strongly recommends that the community should by all means avoid using untreated shallow well water for drinking until it is properly treated or boiled properly. Furthermore, the study advocates for improved sanitation infrastructure guided by the local authorities, regular clean and safe drinking water should be supplied to this area, regular water quality monitoring, and public education programs to enhance overall water quality and public health in the area.