Groundwater quality

The aim of the study was to assess the quality of water from wells for human consumption, based on physical, chemical and microbiological parameters for the population in the Cantíflas and Tchissindo neighbourhoods of the city of Cuito. Septic tanks and the type of aquifer were considered as potential sources of contamination. The wells studied have depths ranging from 9 to 16 metres and are naturally recharged. Two samples were collected from 12 wells during the dry and rainy seasons. Microbiological and physical-chemical parameters were analysed, such as Escherichia coli, total coliforms, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, intestinal enterococci, and physical-chemical parameters such as pH, temperature, electrical conductivity, nitrite, aluminium, iron, and manganese. The analyses were carried out at the Cuito water treatment plant and at the Liqui Huambo laboratory in accordance with Portuguese and European standards. With regard to the results obtained in the microbiological analyses, the water was classified as unsuitable, as the values obtained are above the limits legally stipulated by the WHO and Decree-Law No. 261/11 of 6 October.