Exploratory study of Groundwater quality use for Drinking in the Duport Road and Soul Clinic Diamond Creek communities, Paynesville City, Republic of Liberia

Authors

  • McClain James  Ph.D. Candidate, School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health, Indiana University-Bloomington, USA
  • Skrip Laura  Ph.D., National Public Health of Liberia
  • Paye  Instructor, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Public Health, University of Liberia
  • Plenseh Diana  

Keywords:

LaMotte kit, groundwater, Nitrate, Nitrite, Total coliform bacteria, Paynesville city, Greater Monrovia, Duport Road, Soul Clinic

Abstract

Background: Provision of quality and safe potable water remains a challenge and a significant public health issue in developing nations.

Objectives: In this study, we worked with the community leadership to estimate the safety and the quality level of groundwater use for drinking and domestic use.

Method:  The study selected 100-homes in the Paynesville City, Greater Monrovia meeting the inclusion criteria to complete the survey questionnaire. 57-water infrastructure (WI) were identified, sampled and analyzed for the physio-chemical and microbial parameters of the groundwater in the communities. The physio-chemical parameters investigated include total alkalinity, total dissolved solids, total hardness, pH, temperature, nitrate, and nitrite. Total coliform bacteria were analyzed for the microbial properties in the groundwater. Groundwater is the primary source of water for drinking and domestic use by approximately 90% of the homes in the Shara, Soul Clinic, and Cow Field communities of Montserrado County, Liberia.

Results: After adjusting for other variables and other socio-demographic confounder, participants/families consuming groundwater were more likely exposed to contaminated groundwater with a potential health outcome, (p < 0.001). Also observed, the more improved WI, the hand pump nitrate concentration was between 60-70 ppm, above the acceptable range from the WHO 2017 drinking water guidelines. The microbiological analysis showed that 93% of the water infrastructure (hand pumps and shallow wells) were contaminated with total coliform bacteria.

Conclusion: By investigating the quality of drinking water, the results of this study will inform community members and policymakers that action is needed for proper management and treatment of groundwater to reduce the risk of potential waterborne disease outbreak.

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International Journal of Scientific Research in Science and Technology

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Published

2018-04-30

Issue

Volume 4, Issue 5, March-April-2018

Section

Research Articles

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How to Cite

[1]
McClain James, Skrip Laura, Paye, Plenseh Diana, " Exploratory study of Groundwater quality use for Drinking in the Duport Road and Soul Clinic Diamond Creek communities, Paynesville City, Republic of Liberia, International Journal of Scientific Research in Science and Technology(IJSRST), Online ISSN : 2395-602X, Print ISSN : 2395-6011, Volume 4, Issue 5, pp.1224-1227, March-April-2018.