Author(s)

Martin Tchoumou¹, Raison Félicien Louzayadio Mvouezolo¹, Harmel Obami-Ondon², Lyes Chinalda Boulingui Makaya¹, Adonaï Merci Malera Kombo¹

¹Life and Plant Chemistry Unit, Faculty of Sciences and Technologies, Marien Ngouabi University, Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo.
²Mechanical, Energy and Engineering Laboratory, School of Higher National Polytechnic, Marien Ngouabi University, Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo.

The Republic of Congo in the course of the last two decades has been marked by a strong demographic explosion. The increase of its population has been accompanied by a significant demand for drinking water. The Congolese populations in order to meet their water needs, have recourse to rainwater, surface water and groundwater, because it is easy to access. The city of Brazzaville, political capital of the Republic of Congo, is also affected by this problem. The study carried out here aimed to assess the physicochemical and microbiological parameters of groundwater (wells, boreholes and springs) consumed by the populations of the Massissia district. In this work the physicochemical parameters below were evaluated: the pH, the conductivity, the hardness, the major ions, the undesirable substances as well as some toxic elements (Lead, Cadmium, Iron and Zinc) thanks to techniques of colorimetry, potentiometry and spectrophotometry. The main microbiological parameters determined are E. Coli, Staphylococcus, Total Germs, Total Coliforms, Yeasts and Molds. The physicochemical analyzes revealed that these waters are acidic with pH values between 5 and 6.5, the nitrate concentration evaluated between 50 mg/L and 60 mg/L, and a presence of the element Cadmium at values variants between 0.01 and 0.5 mg/L, values greater than the standard required by the WHO. Microbiological analyzes revealed bacteriological contamination by presence of E. coli in wells and boreholes whose origin is faecal contamination, the presence of yeasts and molds, staphylococcus, Total germs and Total coliforms and Ps Aeuginosis in all water points, making these waters a real danger for consumers.

Water Quality, Comparative Study, Consumption, Brazzaville

Tchoumou, M. , Mvouezolo, R. , Obami-Ondon, H. , Makaya, L. and Kombo, A. (2023) Comparative Study of the Physicochemical and Microbiological Quality of Water from Wells, Boreholes and Springs Consumed in the Massissia District in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo. Open Journal of Applied Sciences, 13, 976-986. doi: 10.4236/ojapps.2023.137078.