Water quality for game in drylands: A case study from the Khaudum National Park, Namibia

In this study water quality (major and minor inorganic components) of the Khaudum National Park in Namibia has been assessed for consumption by game. Although almost every modern country has drinking water guidelines for human consumption, for game such guidelines are rare. Therefore, as well as providing a database on water quality of the Khaudum National Park, existing recommendations for the quality of water supplied to game are revised in this study. Two out of 13 sources used for game water supply in the Khaudam Park are, in fact, unsuitable for this purpose. In general, water quality in the park is improved by supply from abstracted groundwater. However, a comparison of the abstracted groundwater with the supplied water in waterholes shows that the quality of the provided water is often lowered due to wash-in of faeces. It is suggested that reasonable guidelines for game water quality be established, and that water monitoring in game reserves and national parks should become obligatory.