| Peer-Reviewed

Sources of Water Pollution and Selected Physicochemical Parameters of the Nyakomisaro River in Kisii County, Kenya

Received: 14 April 2020     Accepted: 6 May 2020     Published: 19 May 2020
Views:       Downloads:
Abstract

Water is the most vital natural resource in existence as all forms of life depend on it. However, this resource is constantly polluted by human activities. Pollution of rivers is a big challenge not only in Kisii County but as a Country at large. Purposive sampling was used to identify the study area and random sampling was used to collect questionnaires. Water samples were also collected from the study site and physicochemical parameters were analysed in the laboratory. Primary data was analysed descriptively while laboratory data was analysed descriptively and statistically using t-test. Dumping of liquid and solid waste (37.2%) and farming along the river banks (34.9%) were some of the causes of pollution in River Nyakomisaro. The two main economic activities affecting the river are sand harvesting (30.6%) and farming along the river banks (26.8%). The mean value of COD, BOD, TDS, Do, pH, Ec and Temp in Nyaguru (upstream) sampling points were 74.58±13.88 mg/l, 8.42±0.4 mg/l, 20.25±0.5 N. T. U, 3.75±0.21mg/l, 6.78±0.02, 0.19±0.00 S/m and 22.28±0.37°C respectively and the mean value of COD, BOD, TDS, Do, pH, Ec and Temp in Daraja (downstream) sampling points were 14.33±1.09 (mg/l), 4.92±0.45 (mg/l), 17.5±0.5 N. T. U., 3.65±0.34 mg/l., 6.84±0.02, 0.18±0.00 S/m and 22.98±0.40°C respectively. The concentrations of these physico-chemical parameters except Do and pH showed significant differences among the points (P>0.05). The values of all the parameters were within standards stipulated by World Health Organization except the values of Chemical Oxygen Demand. This also means that this water is not good for drinking and certain protective measures should be taken to ensure that residents depending on the source are not affected by it use. Therefore, community and town residents should be sensitized on the effects of indiscriminate disposal of waste to environment and River Nyakomisaro. Also, there should be a continuous monitoring of the water quality along the river to ensure that water is safe for consumption.

Published in American Journal of Biological and Environmental Statistics (Volume 6, Issue 2)
DOI 10.11648/j.ajbes.20200602.11
Page(s) 17-23
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2020. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Water, Physicochemical Parameters, Pollution and River

References
[1] Kuutondokwa SM: Assessment of the Impacts of Pollution on Water Quality in the Calueque-Oshakati Canal in North-Central Namibia. University of Zimbabwe, 2008.
[2] Akali N, Nyongesa N, Neyole E, Miima J: Effluent discharge by mumias sugar company in Kenya: an empirical investigation of the pollution of river Nzoia. Sacha journal of environmental studies 2011, 1: 1-30.
[3] Raji M, Ibrahim Y: Prevalence of waterborne infections in Northwest Nigeria: A retrospective study. Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology 2011, 3: 382-385.
[4] Da Silva JF, Williams RJP: The biological chemistry of the elements: the inorganic chemistry of life. Oxford University Press; 2001.
[5] Westall F, Brack A: The importance of water for life. Space Science Reviews 2018, 214: 50.
[6] Chaplin MF: Water: its importance to life. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education 2001, 29: 54-59.
[7] Rousseau DP, Lesage E, Story A, Vanrolleghem PA, De Pauw N: Constructed wetlands for water reclamation. Desalination 2008, 218: 181-189.
[8] Molden D, Oweis T, Steduto P, Bindraban P, Hanjra MA, Kijne J: Improving agricultural water productivity: Between optimism and caution. Agricultural Water Management 2010, 97: 528-535.
[9] Coppellotti O, Fabris C, Soncin M, Magaraggia M, Camerin M, Jori G, Guidolin L: Porphyrin photosensitised processes in the prevention and treatment of water-and vector-borne diseases. Current medicinal chemistry 2012, 19: 808-819.
[10] Mariita NO: Application of precision gravity measurement to reservoir monitoring of Olkaria geothermal field, Kenya. In Proceedings World Geothermal Congress. 2000: p2719-2724.
[11] Chouhan S, Flora S: Arsenic and fluoride: two major ground water pollutants. 2010.
[12] Tavera R, Castillo S: An eutrophication-induced shift in the composition, frequency and abundance of the phytoplankton in Lake Catemaco, Veracruz, Mexico. Aquatic Ecosystems in Mexico: Status and Scope, Ecovision World Monograph Series Backhuys Publ, Leiden, The Netherlands 2000: 103-117.
[13] WHO U: UNFPA, The World Bank. Trends in maternal mortality: 1990 to 2010. World Health Organization, UNICEF, UNFPA, and The World Bank 2012.
[14] Onda K, LoBuglio J, Bartram J: Global access to safe water: accounting for water quality and the resulting impact on MDG progress. International journal of environmental research and public health 2012, 9: 880-894.
[15] Gleick PH: Dirty-water: estimated deaths from water-related diseases 2000-2020. Citeseer; 2002.
[16] Lukubye B, Andama M: Physico-Chemical Quality of Selected Drinking Water Sources in Mbarara Municipality, Uganda. Journal of Water resource and protection 2017, 9: 707-722.
[17] Kithiia SM: Water quality degradation trends in Kenya over the last decade. Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment 2012, 509.
[18] Peter-Varbanets M, Zurbrügg C, Swartz C, Pronk W: Decentralized systems for potable water and the potential of membrane technology. Water research 2009, 43: 245-265.
[19] Arnal J, García-Fayos B, Sancho M, Verdú G, Lora J: Design and installation of a decentralized drinking water system based on ultrafiltration in Mozambique. Desalination 2010, 250: 613-617.
[20] Chirchir EJ: Analysis of organic contaminants and the physico-chemical properties of borehole water of maili-nne estate and sosiani village, Uasin Gishu cCounty, Kenya. Moi University, 2016.
[21] Nzung'a SO, Pan W, Shen T, Li W, Qin X, Wang C, Zhang L, Yu L: Comparative study of carbonic anhydrase activity in waters among different geological eco-environments of Yangtze River basin and its ecological significance. Journal of Environmental Sciences 2018, 66: 173-181.
[22] Quinn R, Avis O, Decker M, Parker A, Cairncross S: An assessment of the microbiological water quality of sand dams in Southeastern Kenya. Water 2018, 10: 708.
[23] Bonzemo S: Assessment of Water quality status of River Kibisi, Kenya using the Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera (EPT) Index. Master’s Thesis. Kenyatta University, Kenya, 2013.
[24] Scharf RJ, DeBoer MD, Guerrant RL: Recent advances in understanding the long-term sequelae of childhood infectious diarrhea. Current infectious disease reports 2014, 16: 408.
[25] Shook A: A Study of 24-Hour High Flow Events in Small Scale New York State Watersheds. 2009.
[26] Olang LO, Kundu PM: Land degradation of the Mau forest complex in Eastern Africa: a review for management and restoration planning. Environmental Monitoring 2011: 245-262.
[27] Daily Nation: Outraged residents demand solution for filthy, stinking Kisii Town. In.; 2018: 549-558.
[28] UN-Habitat: Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation Initiative; Fast Track Capacity Building Programme for Utilities.. 2008.
[29] Statistics KNBo: 2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census. vol. Volume I: Population by County and Sub-County. pp. 20; 2019: 20.
[30] Apha A: Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. American Public Health Association. Inc, Washington, DC 1998.
[31] Ahmed S, Ismail S: Water pollution and its sources, effects & management: a Case Study of Delhi. Shahid Ahmed and Saba Ismail (2018)'Water Pollution and its Sources, Effects & Management: A Case Study of Delhi', International Journal of Current Advanced Research 2018, 7: 10436-10442.
[32] Yorke C, Margai FM: Monitoring land use change in the Densu River basin, Ghana using GIS and remote sensing methods. African Geographical Review 2007, 26: 87-110.
[33] Ayivor J, Gordon C: Impact of land use on river systems in Ghana. West African Journal of Applied Ecology 2012, 20: 83-95.
[34] Stefanidis K, Papastergiadou E: Relationships between lake morphometry, water quality, and aquatic macrophytes, in greek lakes. Fresenius Environmental Bulletin 2012, 21: 3018-3026.
[35] Anamunda A: Relationships between abundance of zooplankton and physico-chemical parameters in lake Mweru-Wantipa, Zambia. Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2015.
[36] Manohar S, Kitur E, Kibet F: Water Quality and Plant Species Composition of Selected Sites within Chemususudam, Baringo County, Kenya. J Environ Anal Toxicol 2016, 6: 2161-0525.1000390.
[37] Masese FA: Investigation of pollutants, determination of physical chemical characteristics of the Nairobi River and remediation of some toxic heavy metals using fish bones. MSc Theses, Department of Chemistry, University of Nairobi 2010: 27-28.
[38] Walakira P, Okot-Okumu J: Impact of industrial effluents on water quality of streams in Nakawa-Ntinda, Uganda. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management 2011, 15.
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Emmy Kerich, Ndege Fidelis. (2020). Sources of Water Pollution and Selected Physicochemical Parameters of the Nyakomisaro River in Kisii County, Kenya. American Journal of Biological and Environmental Statistics, 6(2), 17-23. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajbes.20200602.11

    Copy | Download

    ACS Style

    Emmy Kerich; Ndege Fidelis. Sources of Water Pollution and Selected Physicochemical Parameters of the Nyakomisaro River in Kisii County, Kenya. Am. J. Biol. Environ. Stat. 2020, 6(2), 17-23. doi: 10.11648/j.ajbes.20200602.11

    Copy | Download

    AMA Style

    Emmy Kerich, Ndege Fidelis. Sources of Water Pollution and Selected Physicochemical Parameters of the Nyakomisaro River in Kisii County, Kenya. Am J Biol Environ Stat. 2020;6(2):17-23. doi: 10.11648/j.ajbes.20200602.11

    Copy | Download

  • @article{10.11648/j.ajbes.20200602.11,
      author = {Emmy Kerich and Ndege Fidelis},
      title = {Sources of Water Pollution and Selected Physicochemical Parameters of the Nyakomisaro River in Kisii County, Kenya},
      journal = {American Journal of Biological and Environmental Statistics},
      volume = {6},
      number = {2},
      pages = {17-23},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ajbes.20200602.11},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajbes.20200602.11},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajbes.20200602.11},
      abstract = {Water is the most vital natural resource in existence as all forms of life depend on it. However, this resource is constantly polluted by human activities. Pollution of rivers is a big challenge not only in Kisii County but as a Country at large. Purposive sampling was used to identify the study area and random sampling was used to collect questionnaires. Water samples were also collected from the study site and physicochemical parameters were analysed in the laboratory. Primary data was analysed descriptively while laboratory data was analysed descriptively and statistically using t-test. Dumping of liquid and solid waste (37.2%) and farming along the river banks (34.9%) were some of the causes of pollution in River Nyakomisaro. The two main economic activities affecting the river are sand harvesting (30.6%) and farming along the river banks (26.8%). The mean value of COD, BOD, TDS, Do, pH, Ec and Temp in Nyaguru (upstream) sampling points were 74.58±13.88 mg/l, 8.42±0.4 mg/l, 20.25±0.5 N. T. U, 3.75±0.21mg/l, 6.78±0.02, 0.19±0.00 S/m and 22.28±0.37°C respectively and the mean value of COD, BOD, TDS, Do, pH, Ec and Temp in Daraja (downstream) sampling points were 14.33±1.09 (mg/l), 4.92±0.45 (mg/l), 17.5±0.5 N. T. U., 3.65±0.34 mg/l., 6.84±0.02, 0.18±0.00 S/m and 22.98±0.40°C respectively. The concentrations of these physico-chemical parameters except Do and pH showed significant differences among the points (P>0.05). The values of all the parameters were within standards stipulated by World Health Organization except the values of Chemical Oxygen Demand. This also means that this water is not good for drinking and certain protective measures should be taken to ensure that residents depending on the source are not affected by it use. Therefore, community and town residents should be sensitized on the effects of indiscriminate disposal of waste to environment and River Nyakomisaro. Also, there should be a continuous monitoring of the water quality along the river to ensure that water is safe for consumption.},
     year = {2020}
    }
    

    Copy | Download

  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Sources of Water Pollution and Selected Physicochemical Parameters of the Nyakomisaro River in Kisii County, Kenya
    AU  - Emmy Kerich
    AU  - Ndege Fidelis
    Y1  - 2020/05/19
    PY  - 2020
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajbes.20200602.11
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ajbes.20200602.11
    T2  - American Journal of Biological and Environmental Statistics
    JF  - American Journal of Biological and Environmental Statistics
    JO  - American Journal of Biological and Environmental Statistics
    SP  - 17
    EP  - 23
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2471-979X
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajbes.20200602.11
    AB  - Water is the most vital natural resource in existence as all forms of life depend on it. However, this resource is constantly polluted by human activities. Pollution of rivers is a big challenge not only in Kisii County but as a Country at large. Purposive sampling was used to identify the study area and random sampling was used to collect questionnaires. Water samples were also collected from the study site and physicochemical parameters were analysed in the laboratory. Primary data was analysed descriptively while laboratory data was analysed descriptively and statistically using t-test. Dumping of liquid and solid waste (37.2%) and farming along the river banks (34.9%) were some of the causes of pollution in River Nyakomisaro. The two main economic activities affecting the river are sand harvesting (30.6%) and farming along the river banks (26.8%). The mean value of COD, BOD, TDS, Do, pH, Ec and Temp in Nyaguru (upstream) sampling points were 74.58±13.88 mg/l, 8.42±0.4 mg/l, 20.25±0.5 N. T. U, 3.75±0.21mg/l, 6.78±0.02, 0.19±0.00 S/m and 22.28±0.37°C respectively and the mean value of COD, BOD, TDS, Do, pH, Ec and Temp in Daraja (downstream) sampling points were 14.33±1.09 (mg/l), 4.92±0.45 (mg/l), 17.5±0.5 N. T. U., 3.65±0.34 mg/l., 6.84±0.02, 0.18±0.00 S/m and 22.98±0.40°C respectively. The concentrations of these physico-chemical parameters except Do and pH showed significant differences among the points (P>0.05). The values of all the parameters were within standards stipulated by World Health Organization except the values of Chemical Oxygen Demand. This also means that this water is not good for drinking and certain protective measures should be taken to ensure that residents depending on the source are not affected by it use. Therefore, community and town residents should be sensitized on the effects of indiscriminate disposal of waste to environment and River Nyakomisaro. Also, there should be a continuous monitoring of the water quality along the river to ensure that water is safe for consumption.
    VL  - 6
    IS  - 2
    ER  - 

    Copy | Download

Author Information
  • Directorate of Research and Innovation, University of Eldoret, Eldoret, Kenya

  • Department of Forestry and Wood Science, School of Natural Resource Management, University of Eldoret, Eldoret, Kenya

  • Sections