Spatial and temporal patterns in water quality analysis near effluent dump-sites in Harare, Zimbabwe

ABSTRACT Pollution of underground water can significantly contribute to health problems, leading to higher rates of morbidity and mortality. A study was conducted in six Harare suburbs (Glen View, Budiriro, Kuwadzana, Kambuzuma, Mabvuku, and Hatcliffe) to assess the quality of underground water, focusing on physical, chemical, and biological characteristics near effluent disposal farms (Ingwe and Crowborough). The areas were grouped by distance from the farms: near (<5 km), far (5–15 km), and very far (>15 km). The study assessed how the water quality changed with the seasons and distance from the farms. It also compared the water quality parameters with World Health Organization (WHO) standards. Water quality parameters of underground drinking water in Harare exhibited significant seasonal variations. The average of environmental and biological variables in Harare significantly deviated from WHO standards. Stronger correlations were found between water quality parameters and site-specific characteristics, rather than with seasonality or distance. No Shigella or Vibrio cholerae were found, but Escherichia coli was detected periodically at specific sites in Budiriro in the wet season and Kuwadzana in the dry season only. The study highlights the critical role of seasonal fluctuations and site-specific characteristics in shaping water quality, underscoring the need for tailored approaches to underground water management.