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.
Sachet water is widely consumed across West Africa, particularly in Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal. Studies show significant variation in quality. While reputable brands treated under NAFDAC (Nigeria) or FDA (Ghana) oversight meet basic standards, many unregistered sachet water producers have been found with bacterial contamination, high TDS, or chemical contaminants. Always buy from registered brands with visible regulatory stamps. If in doubt, boil sachet water before drinking, especially for infants and immunocompromised individuals. In Nigeria, look for NAFDAC registration number; in Ghana, look for FDA approval. Water stored in sachets can also pick up contaminants from the plastic if exposed to heat or sunlight.
Water tanks can become breeding grounds for bacteria, algae, and mosquitoes if not properly maintained. Best practices: 1) Clean the tank every 6-12 months with a dilute bleach solution (1 cup per 100L, drain after 2 hours). 2) Keep the tank covered at all times to prevent mosquito breeding and contamination. 3) In hot climates, insulate or shade the tank — heat accelerates bacterial growth. 4) Don't overflow water back into the tank. 5) Keep the inlet and outlet pipes clear of contamination. 6) Add a small amount of chlorine (WaterGuard/Aquatabs) if stored water will be used beyond 24-48 hours without further treatment.
Clinical utilities must stay conservative. They should help the user organise prevention, adherence, water safety, and escalation signals without replacing clinical judgement.
This app now has its own benchmarked improvement layer, dashboard handoff, email-gated PDF plan, and a route into the Clinical safety checklist workflow.
WHO water-safety checklists: Water tools should separate test result, household treatment, and urgent contamination advice.
Implemented here: Added clinical-safety workflow routing with PDF checklist and dashboard capture.