Mbanza-Ngungu, a town in the Kongo Central province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, faces a crucial challenge: improving drinking water supply conditions for its population. The issue of access to uncontaminated water is essential for the well-being and health of the region’s inhabitants.
Drinking water and sanitation expert Pascal Kanzwenga highlights the importance of ensuring the population of Mbanza-Ngungu has access to quality water. His recent master’s thesis at the University of Kinshasa highlighted the challenges related to the potability of water supply sources in the Mbanza-Ngungu health zone. By analyzing physicochemical and bacteriological parameters, Kanzwenga highlights the need for health and political authorities to take measures to ensure the quality of the water supplied to the population.
Kanzwenga’s study is part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, in particular the goal of ensuring universal access to safe and affordable drinking water by 2030. While only 30% of the Congolese population has easy access to safe drinking water, much remains to be done to meet the needs of the majority who rely on potentially contaminated water sources.
To address this challenge, Kanzwenga recommends adapted water supply policies and programs, focusing on the needs of disadvantaged households and regional disparities. He also encourages the extension of the Regideso distribution network to marginalized areas in the Mbanza-Ngungu health zone.
In conclusion, improving drinking water supply conditions in Mbanza-Ngungu is not only a public health issue, but also a sustainable development and social justice issue. It is essential to put in place concrete measures to guarantee access to safe and quality water for all, in line with international sustainable development objectives.