Quality of drinking water sources in two sub-desert sahelian areas in north-western Senegal

In the course of the agricultural valorization of the Senegal River Valley, the improvement in clean water supply of villages comprised within agriculture zones came as a secondary goal. This study compares water quality between traditional wells and modern sources, such as boreholes and new dug wells, of two village zones located on the left bank of the river. Specific water sources were sampled at three periods of the year, and water quality was assessed. Since water is an important vector of numerous infectious diseases, emphasis was put on the quantitative evaluation of faecal organisms (faecal coliforms and streptococci), indicators of a human and animal contamination of the sources. Physico-chemical parameters and inorganic compounds complete the general evaluation. Results indicate that the analysed modem water sources are highly contaminated as compared to traditional sources. Modernization of water sources is not a sufficient measure for the improvement in clean water supplies. Users have a strong influence on the quality of their drinking water, rendering the education of dwellers, concerning management of their sources, an important consideration not to be overlooked in the process of improving the supply in clean water.