Groundwater contamination and public health burden in an emerging urban settlement: A mixed-methods assessment from Charlton Park, Gweru, Zimbabwe

Abstract

In developing cities, urbanisation often overtakes the provision of water and sanitation services, forcing residents in emerging settlements to rely on untreated groundwater. This poses severe, yet poorly quantified, public health risks. The study assessed groundwater contamination and associated public health issues in Charlton Park residential area in Gweru, Zimbabwe using a convergent parallel mixed-methods study. Water samples were collected from accessible groundwater sources (n = 8) and subjected to microbiological analysis for faecal coliforms. Additionally, a household survey (n = 40) was administered. Data was triangulated with key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and clinical records. Statistical analysis included Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney U, and Spearman's correlation tests. Water quality analysis revealed 87.5% exceeded World Health Organisation faecal coliform guidelines. A significant negative correlation was found between latrine proximity and coliform levels (ρ = −0.81, p = 0.015). Major pathways of water contamination were seepage from inadequately lined septic tanks, discharge of human waste and leachate from open domestic waste dumps. Clinic records showed a disproportionate burden of disease among children, with a case distribution ratio of 1.67 compared to adults. This study provides empirical evidence that groundwater in unserviced and emerging urban settlements is a major pathway for faecal pathogens, directly impacting community health with unmistakable inequalities. Given these findings it is critical to ensure that service delivery precedes urban settlement. The study proposes a Socio-Hydrological Intervention Framework (SHIF) to mitigate contamination and its associated health burdens. It offers a phased, actionable model transferable to similar contexts across Zimbabwe.