Hydro-chemical and Health Risk Evaluation of Septic System Impacts on Groundwater in Sub-Saharan Africa

The groundwater contamination has remained one of the main challenges to most developing nations since the potentially toxic elements originate daily from the manmade activities. Heavy metals and trace elements found in or associated with septic system contamination were evaluated for occurrence and potential impacts, such as nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), and cadmium (Cd). These contaminants can be released through the septic system leachate and end up in a water source that is used for human drinking water and other household needs. The common activities this study assessed included housing and construction, industrial activities which all have been identified as associate sources towards contamination to groundwater accessed through the packaged drinking water, public tap water, springs (protected and unprotected), wells, rainwater, rivers, boreholes, lakes, and wetlands. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect on the groundwater and human health. Through a scoping review of articles, the effect of the metals mentioned above were found severe. While there is various health effects assessed, this paper shows that contaminated groundwater is party a source of cancer. The paper concludes septic systems in rapidly urbanising and peri-urban areas in developing nations, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, are a major source of groundwater contamination by toxic metals and chemicals, and have been linked to adverse human health effects in all age groups. Improved groundwater quality monitoring, adherence to sanitation infrastructure guidelines, and public awareness campaigns are critical. Governments and policymakers should invest in Water Quality Index-based water quality surveillance and monitoring to inform policy and interventions, and safeguard against preventable water-borne health hazards.