International Journal Evolving Sustainable and Renewable Energy Solutions
Assessment of Toxic Chemicals Level in Water Supply Systems Operated by Ayateke Star Company Ltd in Kirehe District and Comparison with National and WHO Standards
Abstract
Jean dâ??Amour Barasikina and Hakorimana Jean de la Paix
Nowadays, one of the leading environmental pollutants is toxic chemicals. The safety and quality of drinking water are critical to public health, requiring routine monitoring of potential contaminants against national and World Health Organization (WHO) standards because they are toxic even at low concentrations. This study assessed the concentrations of Auminium (Al3+) , Nitrate (NO3−), Ammonia nitrogen (NH3–N), Copper (Cu2+), Manganese (Mn2+), Fluoride (F−), Phosphate (PO43−), and Iron (Fe2+/Fe3+) in Eight rural water supply systems include Kivogo, Rubona , Kirehe, Kigina , Muguruka , Mushikiri , Nyakagera and Cyanyiranyonza—located in Kirehe District in Rwanda operated by Ayateke Star Company Ltd. Water samples from each system were analyzed using Hach Digital Reactor 900 Portable Colorimeter. The results in (mg/L) showed the following concentration ranges: Aluminium: 0.024–0.062(WHO limit: 0.2),; Nitrate: 1.3- 10.8 (WHO limit: 45), Nitrogen Ammonia: 0.00–0.09 (WHO limit: 0.5), Copper: 0.00 0.11 (WHO limit: 1.0), Manganese: 0.00–0.051(WHO limit: 0.1) ; Fluoride: 0.19–1.34 (WHO limit: 1.5), Phosphate: 0.1–0.88 (no specific WHO health- based limit, Approx : 2.2 ); Iron: 0.011–0.60 (WHO aesthetic limit: 0.3) within safe limits in all water supply systems except iron centration in Kirehe WSS exceeded the acceptable limit with 0.60 mg/ l. Overall, 87.5 % of the measured parameters complied with WHO guideline values. Therefore, the findings showed that the analysis of eight selected water supply systems managed by Ayateke Star Company Ltd, seven were within the permissible limits set by both the World Health Organization (WHO) and applicable national standards. These results indicate that the water supplied from the assessed systems is safe for human consumption with respect to the investigated parameters. Compliance with WHO guidelines reflects effective water treatment and monitoring practices, thereby minimizing the potential health risks associated with chemical contaminants. Nevertheless, continuous monitoring is recommended to ensure sustained water quality and safeguard public health.