Water Quality Analysis for Springs in Bvumba Catchment Area, Manicaland Province, Zimbabwe

What is it about?

Groundwater quality refers to the condition or characteristics of groundwater, especially in terms of its chemical, physical, and biological properties, which determine its suitability for various uses such as drinking, agriculture, and industry. Groundwater quality is influenced by natural processes in the soil and rock through which water flows, as well as human activities like pesticide use, chemical spills, and waste disposal. Groundwater quality is assessed by measuring various physical and chemical parameters such as pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, nutrients (nitrate, phosphate), metals (iron, manganese, arsenic), and contaminants like pesticides and organic compounds. Groundwater quality sampling involve collecting water samples from wells, springs or boreholes to analyse their chemical, physical, and biological properties. This can be done both in the field and laboratory. The aim is to obtain a sample that truly represents the groundwater quality in the aquifer surrounding the sampling point in this case, springs in the Bvumba Mountains in Eastern Zimbabwe. This study is significant because Zimbabwe a low and middle country in sub-Saharan Africa aims to provide clean water the majority of both rural and urban populations in order to meet Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Regions with the lowest access to clean water in 2025 are primarily in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of South Asia. Key countries and regions with significant populations lacking safe drinking water include: sub-Saharan Africa countries such as Angola (51% lack access), Chad (49.2%), Mozambique (48.9%), Madagascar (48.5%), Democratic Republic of Congo (47.6%), Ethiopia (42.7%), Tanzania (44.4%), Sudan (44.5%), South Sudan (41.3%), Niger (41.8%), and Malawi (42.1%). Further to that, the regions with the most critical lack in clean water access are largely concentrated in parts of sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, with the highest country-level populations affected in India, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This study was carried out in Manicaland Province in Eastern Zimbabwe. The Vumba Mountains are part of Zimbabwe's Eastern Highlands with steep terrain and granitic rock formations. Forest cover and mist in the area contribute to local microclimates but do not guarantee significant groundwater storage. The mountainous terrain complicates borehole drilling and installation of pumps and piping needed to access deep groundwater. Remote location means fewer water supply infrastructure projects compared to lowland urban or rural areas. Access to clean water sources is often dependent on communal boreholes, which can be seasonal or unreliable. If sanitation facilities are inadequate, there is risk of local contamination of shallow groundwater sources from human and animal waste. Limited capacity for water quality testing and treatment can exacerbate health risks. Communities in the Vumba region may have limited financial and technical resources to develop and maintain groundwater infrastructure. The Bvumba Mountains, also known as the Vumba Mountains, are a mountain range straddling the border between Zimbabwe and Mozambique. They lie about 10 kilometres southeast of the city of Mutare in Zimbabwe, within the Manicaland Province. The Vumba Mountains rise to a highest point called Castle Beacon at an elevation of 1,911 meters (6,270 feet) above sea level. The mountains are part of a series of ranges including the Chimanimani Mountains to the south and the Nyanga Mountains to the north. Furthermore, these mountains known as the "Mountains of the Mist" (bvumba meaning "mist" in Shona), the region often experiences early morning mists that can linger for days, contributing to its unique microclimate. The landscape features cool green hills in summer, turning golden in winter, with a generally warmer climate than the Nyanga Mountains. In Bvumba area, the communities rely on spring water for drinking purposes and given that the water from the springs is also being bottled commercially, understanding the quality of water becomes an important process. This is important because it is the main factor determining its suitability for drinking purposes. Analysing the quality of water in springs helps in updating information and understanding of the water quality in Bvumba, Manicaland, Zimbabwe. This study improves and extend knowledge on water quality in Bvumba and how the concentrations of chemical properties are related to the underlying geology of the area. The study sought to improve understanding of the physical and chemical properties of spring water and the potential impacts on the health and wellbeing of the communities in Vumba, Manicaland Province, Zimbabwe. It is therefore an important consideration to test water quality as one of the measures of people’s health and wellbeing. Thus, the specific objectives of this study were to: (1) analyse the physical and chemical parameters of spring water in Bvumba, (2) analyse the relationship between the physical and chemical parameters with environmental factors in Bvumba, (3) assess the suitability of spring water for drinking purposes and, (4) compare the chemical parameters of the spring water with national and international drinking water standards.

Featured Image

Photo by Mannavan R on Unsplash

Photo by Mannavan R on Unsplash

Why is it important?

As of 2025, approximately 75% of the global population has access to clean and safely managed drinking water. This means that about one-quarter of people worldwide still lack reliable access to clean water sources that are free from contaminants and safe for drinking and household use. Around 2.2 billion people lack safely managed drinking water services. Access varies by country and region, with rural and low-income areas disproportionately affected. Efforts under the UN Sustainable Development Goal 6 aim to increase this percentage by improving water infrastructure, sanitation, and water quality worldwide. Groundwater is a critical resource for drinking water, irrigation, and industrial use. It supports surface water bodies during dry periods, contributing to streams, rivers, and wetlands. In this view, maintaining groundwater quality is vital for sustainable water supply and environmental health. This because, water is a precious resource that gives life to all living organisms on earth. Water resources have been profoundly affected directly and indirectly by human activities world over. This has raised a number of water related challenges and drinking water problems. In the Bvumba area, the communities use spring water for drinking purposes. Use of water for drinking and other domestic purposes that have not been tested for its quality exposes the community to health risks. A community deserves to be aware of the quality of the water they use for drinking. Some small scale entrepreneurs are packaging and retailing spring water that is sold mainly to resorts in Bvumba area, Zimbabwe. Given that the water from the springs is being commercialized, understanding the quality of water becomes an important process or activity. Thus, this study sought to understand the quality of groundwater and determine its suitability for drinking, domestic, agricultural and industrial purposes.

Perspectives