Furan and Phenol-Based Contaminants in the Borehole Water Quality of the Kerio Valley Water Basin, Kenya

Clean water supply and infrastructure is one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century as a result of persistent and emerging water pollutants. The purpose of this study was to determine the concentration profiles of furan and phenol-based contaminants in the boreholes located in the Kerio Valley water basin. The notation KV indicates that the sample was collected in Kerio Valley borehole. The water samples from the boreholes were extracted using a solid phase extraction procedure and characterized by a gas chromatograph interfaced with a mass-selective detector. Based on the findings of this study, 3-methyl-2,3-dihydro-1-benzofuran was significantly present in all the boreholes sampled with a concentration of 9.390±1.12, 0.23±0.02, 0.213±0.05, and 0.070±0.28 ppm in KV1, KV2, KV3, and KV4, respectively. The other major contaminants in the borehole water included 2-furanmethanol and 2-methyltetrahydro-2-furanol. The most toxic phenol, 2,6-dichlorophenol, was found in KV4 with a concentration of 0.06±0.01 ppm. According to the findings of this study, the majority of the borehole water in the Kerio Valley basin is contaminated with furans and phenolic toxins and may not be safe for human consumption. To ensure that residents have access to clean water, it is necessary to develop a policy framework for the evaluation and monitoring of water quality in the area and to suggest remediation strategies.