Abstract

This study highlights the competitive effects of the exploitation of the resources of Mount Lubwe on the quality of the water resources. The objective is twofold and consisted in: (i) evaluating the physico-chemical and microbiological water quality in the current context of anthropization of Mount Lubwe vis-à-vis the standards of the World Health Organization (WHO) and (ii) determine the conditions of access to this resource in the beneficiary communities of the region. The systemic analysis approach shows that the anthropogenic pressure on the natural forest ecosystems has induced the degradation of water quality as well as its availability in the beneficiary areas of Butembo region. Most of the surveyed water sources provide water that exposes consumers to many health risks. The high rate of germs (45,000 UFT/ml) and nitrites content (0.1245 ml/l) is an indicator not only of the poor quality of its water resources but also of the impacts of anthropization of the landscape. Moreover, access to water shows a marginalization based on social categories with only people with stable and regular incomes who can afford quality drinking water.

Key words: Water resources, Mount Lubwe, access to drinking water, Butembo region.