Author(s) :

Balthazar Kashangabuye Bagalwa, Luwesi Cush Ngonzo.

Volume/Issue :

Abstract :

Natural water must be treated to become potable and be consumed by human beings. Its turbidity and color influence the quality of the water produced by the factory and consumed by the populations in the large cities. This study compared the value of turbidity and color of raw water from the Congo river versus water treated by the REGIDESO, in Kinshasa city, in accordance with the World Health Organization (WHO) standards. Samples of raw and treated water from REGIDESO Ngaliema treatment plant were analyzed at the laboratory to determine their color and turbidity values. The analysis of these data and those from REGIDESO technical reports shows that the mean value of raw water turbidity ranged between 22.63 and 199.36 NTU, and that of treated water ranged between 1.24 and 2.14 NTU (WHO Standard: ≤1 NTU). With regards to the color, the mean value of raw water ranged between 243.6 and 367 Hazen, whereas treated water value ranged between 10.83 and 25.64 Hazen (WHO Standard: ≤15 Hazen). Consequently, water produced by REGIDESO Ngaliema treatment plant did not significantly match the WHO quality standards for turbidity and color. Hence, the Congolese government shall require the installation of wastewater treatment plants to all the industries along the Congo river to ease its drinking water quality control.

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