Assessment of the Quality of Drinking Water in Saraba Neighborhood in Darou Khoudoss (Thies, Senegal)

Senegal, like all other developing countries, faces problems with access to drinking water. This study focused on evaluating the quality of drinking water in the Saraba neighborhood within the commune of Darou Khoudoss in the Thies region. The methodology involved collecting water samples from wells, boreholes, and taps, followed by physico-chemical analyses (T, pH, Electrical Conductivity, Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , Na + , K + , Fe 2+ , NO 3 - , SO 4 2- , HCO 3 - , Cl - , F - ) at the Hydrochemistry Laboratory of the Department of Geology at the Faculty of Science and Technology of Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar. The results show pH values for the well (5.60) and nitrate levels for the borehole (59.26 mg/L) and the well (288.97 mg/L) that are non-compliant. The analysis results show that a few parameters, namely the pH and nitrate content of the well and borehole, do not meet World Health Organization standards. NO 3 - ions have exceeded the threshold for human consumption (50 mg/l), which could be due to heavy agricultural activity in the area, but this water (well and borehole) can still be used for irrigation since it is used for making fertilizer. The well water has a high acidity level, which may render it unfit for human consumption. In general, water from wells and boreholes has characteristics that could expose local populations to health risks, underscoring the need for regular monitoring of their physicochemical and microbiological quality.