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Water, Vol. 16, Pages 3621: Challenges of Providing Safe Drinking Water in African Rural Communities: A Case Study on the Oio Region, Guinea-Bissau
Water doi: 10.3390/w16243621
Authors: Pedro Silveira Maria Teresa Rebelo Daniel Salvador
Access to safe drinking water is a fundamental human right, yet it remains a global challenge affecting nearly 2 billion people, particularly in Africa in regions such as Guinea-Bissau. This study investigated the microbiological and physicochemical quality of drinking water in four rural areas of the Oio region of Guinea-Bissau—Cangha N’Tchugal, Cajaque, Infaidi and Insanha—over a one-year period (October 2022–September 2023) to assess water safety and seasonal variations. During this period, eight water samples were collected and analysed from each site, split evenly between the dry and wet seasons. The results showed widespread faecal coliform contamination, with concentrations escalating during the wet season (2 to 39 CFU/100 mL), posing a health risk. Physicochemical analysis showed consistently acidic pH values (from 4.93 to 6.58) and seasonal variations in phosphate and iron concentrations, with a marked decrease in iron concentrations during the wet season. These results indicated that the water from the four sampling points was unfit for human consumption. In light of these findings, there is an urgent need for the regular monitoring of water sources used for drinking and for improved access to resources and basic sanitation in the future.
