The physico-chemical characteristics of streams that empty into the River Rwizi were assessed by this study. Streams in the headwaters, midstream, and downstream sections of the river were purposefully chosen for their raw water supplies. In the catchment area of the river Rwizi, there is an increase in the human population, which is involved in a number of activities that could contaminate the river Rwizi, particularly along the streams. Investigations have been done into the physico-chemical state of the main river Rwizi in the Mbarara Municipality. Clean plastic bottles were used to collect water samples. Completely full and securely fastened sample vials were used. Water samples were examined within 5 hours of collection, and those that were not examined right away were kept at 4°C and brought to room temperature before tests were conducted. The American Public Health Association's standard operating procedures were followed for the analysis of the water samples (1985). The findings demonstrated that most streams' downstream sections typically recorded the highest levels of the physico-chemical parameters (p 0.05), followed by their mid-stream and upstream sections. The majority of the metrics examined were at their highest levels in streams in the downstream, such as the Bus Park Stream (27.6°C; 431.17 TCU; 99.33 mg/l; alkalinity); Kakyeka upper (pH, 10.52; NH+, 46.67 mg/l), Rwentondo (Fe, 3.44 mg/l), Kakyeka GBK (NO3, 10.83 mg/l), Kikutu stream (turbidity, 123.58 NTU; EC, 698 s/cm; DO, 55.73 mg/l; PO3+, 12.85 mg/l), and Kakyeka stream (turbidity, 121 The majority of the metrics downstream (temperature, 25°C; colour, 20–150 TCUs; TSS, 50 mg/l; alkalinity, 400 mg/l; Cl, 250 mg/l; DO, 5 mg/l; PO3+, 0.5–0.7 mg/l; etc.) exceeded the EPA guideline. NEMA standards (colour, 300 TCUs; Mg, 100 mg/l; DO, 5mg/l; PO3+, 10 mg/l; pH, 6.0-8.0) and pH, 5.5 to 9.0; NH+, 0.2 to 4 mg/l; and Fe, 0.2 to 2.0 mg/l) are also applicable. While the upstream streams, such as Kibimba (17.28°C; 31.s/cm; 0.24 mg/l PO3+; 15.17°TCU; 2.5 mg/l TSS; 6.23°P; 19.67 mg/l alkalinity; 9.99 mg/l DO; 4.41 mg/l Mg; 23.17 mg/l CaCO3; and Karungu (7.02 mg/l turbidity; 0.12 mg/l Fe), recorded the lowest values for From soft to moderately soft (upstream), moderately soft (midstream), and moderately soft to unusually hard (downstream), the streams' water hardness fluctuated (downstream). From March to May and June to August, the physico-chemical parameters fluctuated between high and low values without exhibiting a distinct seasonal pattern, indicating irregular weather patterns (i.e., fewer clearly defined wet and dry seasons during the study period), which may be related to climate changes.
Author (s) Details
Jeninah Atwebembeire
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science,
Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda.
Joel Bazira
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of
Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda.
Grace Kagoro
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science,
Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda.
Jane Yatuha
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science,
Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda.
Morgan Andama
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science,
Muni University, Arua, Uganda.
Julius Lejju Bunny
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science,
Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda.
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