Water Quality Analysis for Springs in Bvumba Catchment Area, Manicaland Province, Zimbabwe

Abstract

This study sought to analyse the water quality of selected springs in Bvumba, Manicaland Province, Zimbabwe. The water quality parameters analysed in the study were pH, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Calcium, Magnesium and Total Coliforms. The study further sought to compare the results of the analysis with the ZINWA and WHO (2006) recommended guidelines on drinking water. The Bvumba Community depends on spring water for most of their domestic needs. Some small scale entrepreneurs are packaging and retailing spring water in the area. The commercialization of spring water by small scale entrepreneurs and the dependency of the community on the spring water prompted this research. Samples from six sites were collected and analysed for physical, chemical and biological parameters at Africa University Crop Science Laboratory. Water pH was tested using the pH meter, TDS were tested using Conductivity. The analysis for Calcium and Magnesium were done using the Atomic Adsorption Spectrophotometer. The analysis for Total Coliforms was done using the Membrane Filtration method. The results of the physical and chemical analysis compared favourably with the ZINWA and WHO recommended standards for drinking water, except for three samples that were relatively below the recommended water pH range. The analysis for Total Coliforms showed that three samples from Huncock, Patridge and Nyamheni had Total Coliforms ranging from grade C to grade D. This means that the water from these springs is not suitable for drinking. There is a pathway in the system that is introducing Coliforms. This study provides baseline information on the spring water situation in Bvumba. The study recommends continuous and comprehensive analysis of water for E.Coli to determine the presence of animal and human fecal matter following the detection of Total Coliforms in three of the samples.