Assess your water source quality and get treatment recommendations. Enter your water test results or use typical values for your source type.
Access to safe drinking water remains one of Africa's most pressing challenges. According to WHO and UNICEF, over 400 million people in sub-Saharan Africa lack access to safely managed drinking water services. Even those with access to improved water sources often face quality issues from contamination, ageing infrastructure, or naturally occurring minerals like fluoride and iron.
Different water sources carry different risks. Boreholes generally provide safer water than open wells or surface water, but can have elevated levels of iron, fluoride, or salinity depending on local geology. In parts of the East African Rift Valley, fluoride levels far exceed WHO guidelines. In coastal areas, saltwater intrusion increases TDS. In urban areas, even piped water may be intermittent and subject to contamination during low-pressure periods.
This tool helps you interpret common water quality parameters against WHO drinking water guidelines. While it cannot replace a certified laboratory test, it provides immediate guidance on whether your water is safe to drink and what treatment may be needed. Key parameters include pH (acidity), turbidity (cloudiness), E. coli (faecal contamination), and TDS (dissolved minerals). Each parameter tells a different story about your water quality.
Many water quality issues can be addressed with affordable, locally available treatment methods. Chlorination handles bacterial contamination, basic filtration reduces turbidity, and boiling kills pathogens. For more complex issues like fluoride or iron removal, specific filter types are recommended. This checker provides practical treatment recommendations based on your specific water quality results, prioritising solutions available in African markets.
Most countries have government water testing laboratories. In Nigeria, contact your State Water Board or NAFDAC. In Kenya, the Water Resources Authority offers testing. In South Africa, municipal labs and private labs like SANAS-accredited facilities provide certified testing. Costs range from $10-50 for basic parameters.
No. While boreholes are generally safer than surface water because the soil acts as a natural filter, they can still contain elevated minerals (iron, fluoride, manganese), chemical contaminants from nearby agriculture, or bacterial contamination if the borehole is poorly constructed or too shallow. Always test borehole water before drinking.
For private boreholes and wells, test at least once a year for basic parameters and after any flooding event. For community water systems, monthly testing is recommended. If you notice changes in taste, colour, or smell, test immediately.
Rainwater is generally low in minerals and contaminants, but can pick up pollutants from roofing materials and the atmosphere. Use a first-flush diverter to discard the initial rain, keep gutters and tanks clean, and consider basic filtration. In urban industrial areas, rainwater may contain higher pollutant levels.