Quality of water used in hospitality facilities (Malawi)

The study focussed on assessing the quality of water used in hospitality facilities along the lake shore of Chintheche area in Nkhata-bay district In Malawi. A mixed method approach was used, combining quantitative and qualitative research methods. The study sampled 10 hospitality and 80 study participants. A total of 120 water samples were collected to analyse the levels of water turbidity, temperature, pH, total dissolved solids, electro conductivity, chlorine residue, sulphate, faecal coliforms, total coliforms, iron, manganese and fluoride. Data were analysed using GenStat. The Statistical Package for Social Scientists version 26 was used to analyse data from the research survey. Qualitative data from key informants and focused group discussions were analysed using content analysis. The study established that all boreholes and Lake Malawi water sources were contaminated with faecal and total coliforms. The study further revealed that hospitality facilities also relied on lake Malawi and borehole water sources, water from the lake and borehole sources was not being regularly treated as per standards requirements, hospitality facilities though at a lower percentage were being affected by water-related diseases. Hospitality facilities in Chintheche were using contaminated water with faecal and total coliforms. The study recommended that hospitality facility owners should be more vigilant in influencing their workers to consider water treatment measures as a major priority in hospitality facilities.