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Arsenic occurrence in Malawi groundwater
RIVETT, MO; ROBINSON, HL; WILD, LM; MELVILLE, J; MCGRATH, L; PHIRI, P; FLINK, J; WANANGWA, GJ; MLETA, P; MACLEOD, SSP; MILLER, AVM & KALIN, RM
Abstract
Despite an estimated 90,000 groundwater points, mostly hand-pumped boreholes, being used for
drinking-water supply in Malawi, evaluation of groundwater arsenic has been limited. Here we review the literature and
collate archive data on groundwater arsenic occurrence in Malawi; add to these data, by surveying occurrence in hand-pumped
boreholes in susceptible aquifers; and, conclude on risks to water supply. Published literature is sparse with two
of the three studies reporting arsenic data in passing, with concentrations below detection limits. The third study of 25
alluvial aquifer boreholes found arsenic mostly at 1-10 μg/l concentration, but with four sites above the World Health
Organisation (WHO) 10 μg/l drinking-water guideline, up to 15 μg/l; the study also discerned hydrochemical controls.
Archive data from non-governmental organisation (NGO) borehole testing (two datasets) exhibited below detection
results. Our surveys in 2014-18 of hand-pumped supplies in alluvial and bedrock aquifers tested 310 groundwater sites
(78% alluvial, 22% bedrock) and found below test-kit detection (<10 μg/l) arsenic throughout, except possible traces at
two boreholes containing geothermal-groundwater contributions. Our subsequent survey of 15 geothermal groundwater
boreholes/springs found four sites with arsenic detected at 4-12 μg/l concentration. These sites displayed the highest
temperatures, supporting increased arsenic being related to a geothermal groundwater influence. Our 919 sample dataset
overall indicates arsenic in Malawian groundwater appears low, and well within Malawi’s drinking-water standard of 50
μg/l (MS733:2005). Still, however, troublesome concentrations above the WHO drinking-water guideline occur.
Continued research is needed to confirm that human-health risks are low; including, increased monitoring of the great
many hand-pumped supplies, and assessing hydro-biogeochemical controls on the higher arsenic concentrations found.
Keywords
Arsenic; Groundwater quality; Malawi; Drinking water
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