Groundwater quality assessment for domestic purposes in Mpherembe, northwest of Mzimba district, Rural Malawi

Abstract Access to potable water is a public health problem in Malawi. Knowledge of water quality can significantly reduce waterborne diseases amongst users. The present study examines the groundwater quality for domestic use in Mpherembe, northwest of Mzimba district rural Malawi. Ten (10) water samples were collected from various sources and subsequently tested for physio-chemical and microbiological parameters using standard methods. The results obtained were compared against the Malawi Bureau of Standards (MS 733:2005) and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for drinking water quality. The microbiological examination of water samples revealed the presence of E. coli bacteria (range 62-136cfu/100m), and high levels of turbidity (range 5.58–46.8 NTU) in wells. However, Magnesium hardness and Electrical Conductivity (EC) were recorded high in boreholes compared to wells. The presence of faecal matter and high mineral concentration in domestic water is a health risk when consumed prior to treatment. To ensure public health safety, interventions that focus on household water treatment such as chlorination are recommended in this study area.