Abstract
Drinking water is essential for human health and well-being. In order to assess the quality of water from five sources used for human consumption and to determine their compliance with international drinking water standards (WHO) in order to propose the potential health risks associated with their consumption, water samples were taken and sent to the microbiological research laboratories of the Higher Institute of Medical Techniques of Kinshasa and to the Soil Physics and Hydrology Laboratory of the General Commission for Atomic Energy/Regional Center for Nuclear Studies of Kinshasa (CGEA /CREN-K) for physicochemical (pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, total dissolved solids, turbidity, COD, BOD5, cadmium, lead, manganese, iron and arsenic) and bacteriological analyses. The results obtained show a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) for pH, electrical conductivity, total Dissolved Solids (TDS), COD, nitrate, chloride, and magnesium between the water samples from the springs. However, no significant difference (p > 0.05) was found for temperature, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, BOD5, nitrites, ammonium, phosphate, or calcium. Similarly, a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) was also observed between the springs from a bacteriological perspective. The bacterial load revealed microbiological contamination that could compromise the sanitary quality of this water. Only the REGIDESO intake point showed satisfactory microbiological quality. This study recommends strengthening source protection measures and implementing regular monitoring of drinking water quality.
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