Physico-chemical quality of drinking water used in traditional medicine practices in Togo: case of localities bordering Togodo-Sud National Park

Abstract

This study is based on samples and analyzes of drinking water used (ECU) in the practices of traditional medicine by the population of the cantons bordering the National Park of Togodo-Sud. The samples were taken during two periods corresponding to the dry season (April 2021) and the rainy season (August 2021) due to fifteen (15) samples per season for a total of thirty (30) samples. Nineteen physicochemical parameters were evaluated on these samples in order to characterize the quality of the ECUs. The results show that the ECUs emanate from 05 sources due to 27.5% of collected rainwater, 26% of well water, 19.5% of borehole water and 14% of river and river water. 95% of water sources are not protected. Physico-chemical analyzes show that the samples have levels that do not comply with WHO guidelines and limit their use in traditional medicine. Faced with these results, microbiological and bacteriological analyzes are important in order to raise public awareness and facilitate political responses.