Water Quality from the Purification Unit of Thiakhar (Diourbel, Senegal) and Impact of Discharges from Treatment on Water Resources

Abstract

The installation of a purification unit since 2008 in the village of Thiakhar has improved the physico-chemical and bacteriological quality of the water supply. However about 55% of the raw water comes out of the unit as discharges (approximately 14 m 3 per day) highly concentrated in fluoride and chloride ions. Based on historical samples, we find that the volumes of water consumed together with the volumes of water discharged are increasingly significant from year to year. The storage of waste water is carried out in a septic tank connected to a leaking cesspool sink. Significant excesses of these discharges are visible on the site and a flow of concentrate is observed creating a puddle of water that attracts birds and straying cattle. The study describes the following substantial impacts on the natural and human environment: 1) contamination of groundwater, 2) soil salinization 3), impact on flora and fauna, 4) impact on health. The study concludes by identifying measures to mitigate the negative impacts related to the discharges and by proposing alternative solution.