TITLE:
Physicochemical and Microbiological Quality of Springs in Kyambogo University Propinquity
AUTHORS:
Timothy Omara, Winfred Nassazi, Monica Adokorach, Sarah Kagoya
KEYWORDS:
pH, Temperature, Conductivity, Total Coliforms, Escherichia coli, Sanitary Risk Score
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.6 No.1,
January
10,
2019
ABSTRACT: The availability of usable water in an area is the first indication of its demonstrated ability to sustain life. In peri-urban areas, urbanites utilize water from springs and compete disapprovingly for it amongst themselves and with animals. The straggling populace and the compromised sanitation are deteriorating spring water sources. There is an urgent need to analyze springs to ascertain their bacteriological and physical quality for possible cross contaminations that may be of public health importance. This study evaluated the bacteriological and physical profile of water from three springs in Kyambogo University vicinity. Two weekly water samples from each spring for five weeks were obtained and analyzed. The physicochemical parameters (temperature, pH, turbidity, electrical conductivity, chlorides and sulphates), total coliform and E. coli counts of the samples were determined. The mean temperature of the water samples from Katalina, Airport spring 1 and Airport spring 2 were 20.53℃± 1.2℃, 21.53℃± 0.60℃and 20.33℃± 1.62℃respectively. The corresponding statistical mean pH values were 5.33 ± 0.25, 6.30 ± 0.10 and 7.10 ± 0.46. All the springs were found to be microbiologically contaminated with total coliforms and E. coli above WHO permissible limits. Conclusively, water from the sampled springs are not safe for drinking and the immediate strategy is to boil or treat the water before drinking. Drainage ditches should be constructed uphill of the springs to divert torrential flowing rain water which carry contaminants washed from Kyambogo hill.