Status of water quality in the springs of Huye town, Rwanda

The treatment and supply of drinking water in Rwanda is carried out by the Water and Sanitation Corporation (WASAC), a State owned public company. This company is however unable to supply water to all households. Consequently, the non-serviced households depend on springs to meet their water requirements. However, water quality in these springs is barely known. This study was conducted to establish baseline water quality in the rural areas around Huye Township. Interviews were conducted and questionnaires administered within the population of the project area. Bacteriological, physical and chemical parameters of water were analysed. Results showed that in the dry season the pH of spring water (6.21) and water from containers (5.62) is slightly acidic. The study revealed that during the rainy season, all springs are polluted with prevalence of faecal coliforms, Streptococcus, total coliforms and total aerobic flora at 62.5%. Escherichia coli contamination (25%) for water from family containers which was not in the water directly taken from the spring shows that more contamination occurs during water transportation and storage. There is need to undertake spring protection and in-situ water treatment at household level.