Physico-chemical quality of prepackaged water in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Abstract

Abstract

Improving access to drinking water is a real challenge for African cities due to exponential population growth. This study aimed to determine compliance with quality standards of physicochemical parameters of prepackaged water from the city of Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso. A cross-sectional study was carried out at the Toxicological Directorate of Environmental Control and Public Hygiene (DTCE/HP) in Ouagadougou. In total, 15 samples were taken from fifteen prepackaged water production units. Physicochemical analyzes were carried out using standardized methods. Water turbidity varied between 0.1 and 0.4 NTU with an average of 0.25 NTU. Electrical conductivity varied between 13.4 and 203µ/cm with an average of 48.911 µ/cm. The concentration of ammonium varied from 0 to 0.2 mg/l with an average of 0.13 mg/l), nitrites (0 to 0.1 mg/l, average 0.01), nitrates (0.44 and 4 .84 mg/l, average of 2.93 mg/l) and sulfates (0 to 2 mg/l, average of 0.2 mg/l).Hardness varied between 0.4 and 5.8 mg/l and an average of 2.18 mg/l; the concentration of calcium (0 to 6.4 with an average of 2.24 mg/l), that of magnesium (0.5 to 14.1 mg/l with an average of 3.91 mg/l). Bicarbonates had an average value of 39.63 mg/l. Results showed that these water samples comply with drinking standards in Burkina Faso. Conditioned water from the city of Ouagadougou is good quality water.