Nitrate contamination in peri-urban Maputo (Mozambique)

Groundwater recovered from shallow wells and boreholes is at present the main water supply source in the peri-urban zones of Maputo city. The waste water drainage and sanitation is done through local systems such as pitlatrines and in the best cases septic tanks. In almost all shallow wells and locally in some of the boreholes very high nitrate concentrations (till 500 mg/I) are measured. This paper contains a brief description of the situation and following evaluation of the groundwater pollution by nitrates. Finally some ideas about possibilities to improve the sanitary conditions and water supply of the population are discussed.