Water Quality Monitoring and Vulnerability of the Community to Cholera: A Case Study of Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe Urban Area

Abstract

The study was able to identify the risk factors affecting the population of Chitungwiza, in connection with water supply, the study made an analysis of the nature, sources and causes of the problems and identified the level of risk people are to cholera. Therefore the background of the study revealed that Chitungwiza is the third most urban populated city in Zimbabwe characterized by old and strained water and sewer infrastructure capacity, with sewer bursts occurring more often. Failure of the local authority to execute its legislative duties of providing potable water and sanitation services, however it has since responded by water rationing giving residents at least 2 days with water for 6 hours. Effects of the problem has driven the community to rely upon hand dug shallow wells, and boreholes which are rarely monitored. This has led to continuous occurrence of waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid and diarrhea, with a historical record of a high death rate in 2008 and 2018. Prime objective of the study was hinged upon carrying out water quality monitoring, bacteriological and physio-chemical analysis to determine the suitability of the water for human consumption on 7 boreholes and 13 shallow wells in the district. 10 water quality parameters such as including ph, color, turbidity, chloride, sodium, nitrate, total hardness, sulphate, zinc and iron where analyzed. Two boreholes were found contaminated with fecal coliform bacteria, and forced to close. Whereas ph was found to be below WHO limits and high levels of nitrate above WHO standards throughout the district. Public toilets infrastructure survey indicated high risk of cholera outbreak with 95% of public toilets not functioning. Quantitative and qualitative research was adopted. Structured and open questionnaires self-administered by the researcher, using judgmental and random sampling on a sample size of 150. Sanitary risk survey was conducted on boreholes and hand dug wells, document reviews of health and engineering reports provided empirical evidence. Data was presented using pie charts, tables and graphs for easy interpretation. Descriptive statistical analysis was done to analyze data. Results from Document reviews show that water coverage is 74.1%, response late on sewer bursts is 60.5%, and non-revenue water is 62.2%, water quality samples in line with WHO standards on monthly basis 85.1%. Recommendations are coined policy recommendations such as formulation of a water safety plan, public private partnership, decentralizing water quality monitoring, public health awareness programs and support of community health clubs this could improve the water situation in Chitungwiza