GROUNDWATER RESOURCES AND CONTAMINATION IN RURAL HAITI

Twenty-seven karst springs were mapped and sampled during the summer of 2008 near Verrettes, Haiti. The primary goal of the study was to gain a better understanding of water quality and distribution of the fresh water springs used as the primary source of potable water in rural Haiti. A Geographic Information System (GIS) and LandSAT satellite images were used to delineate areas of healthy vegetation likely to host springs. Many of the mapped springs corresponded with GIS-delineated areas of shallow groundwater. Water samples were analyzed for E-coli and total coliform bacteria. From 71 to 100% of the springs were unsafe to drink based on the World Health Organization (WHO) drinking water standard. Both capped and uncapped springs had high bacterial counts. Concrete biosand water filters and solar-powered mechanical filters were also sampled at several locations. Bacterial contamination of capped springs, filtered water, and water treated with the biosand filters suggests that, although effective in many cases, all of these water treatment methods must be used with caution and maintained to ensure clean and safe drinking water.