Impact of Human Activities on the Quality of Water in Nyaruzinga Wetland of Bushenyi District - Uganda

Abstract

The study presents an investigation into the effect of various human activities on the degradation and lowering of water quality in Nyaruzinga wetland which is located in Bushenyi district, South Western Uganda. Water samples were drawn from six different places (one town supply, one water reservoir) and four contaminated sources near the wetland. The results were compared to both national and WHO guidelines. The different parameters assessed included apparent colour (AC), total suspended solids (TSS), turbidity (Tur), total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), total hardness (TH), pH and microbial activity using E. coli as a standard test. Experimental methods were composed of complexometric titration, turbidimetry, pH direct meter reading, spectrophotometry and standard plate count, using membrane filter technique. Results obtained revealed that most of the parameters investigated were outside the range recommended by both national standard and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Such results were mainly attributed to fish farming and sewage discharge from the surrounding institutions.