Physico-Chemical and Microbiological Assessments of Water Wells Consumed in Tshamilemba and Kabetsha Quarters, Lubumbashi Suburb in the Democratic Republic of Congo

The Tshamilemba and Kabetsha quarters are located in industrial area and are experiencing environmental degradation, reflected by the appearance of whitish substances perceptible on the walls of houses and on the floors. The degradation of the air and water of domestic wells as well as that of the gardens vegetables is observed every day. Due to a lack of a treated water supply system, many residents resort to water from wells to meet their household needs. The present study aims to evaluate the physico-chemical and bacteriological parameters of this water. It is based on the dosage of metallic elements in well's water and by making clearly the Escherichia coli. The dosage of the chemicals elements was done by inductively coupled plasma (ICP). Escherichia coli have been realized by innoculation in liquid culture medium. The mean aluminum concentrations were found to be statistically above the average reference value in eight wells; the same for seven wells concerning manganese; six for cobalt and nickel, three for lead and one for copper. In contrast, only three Kabetsha's wells gave statistically higher mean aluminum concentrations. The search for Escherichia coli was positive in 36% of the wells studied in Tshamilemba. It was 100% in Kabetsha. Since Escherichia coli circulate through the negligence of the population, the inhabitants of the two neighborhoods would be partly responsible for the microbiological fails of the water of the wells they use.