Water Quality in Selected Water Springs in Banda, Kampala-Uganda

Twalibu Nzanzu; Joshua  Barasa; Sarah Kiwanuka Nanyonga; JeanBosco  Binenwa

doi:10.51168/sjhrafrica.v3i12.249

Authors

Twalibu Nzanzu Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Kyambogo University, P. O. Box 1, Kyambogo, Uganda
Joshua Barasa Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Kyambogo University, P. O. Box 1, Kyambogo, Uganda.
Sarah Kiwanuka Nanyonga Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Kyambogo University, P. O. Box 1, Kyambogo, Uganda
JeanBosco Binenwa Graduate school, Kampala University P.O Box 25454 Kampala Uganda.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v3i12.249

Keywords:

Banda,, groundwater, quality, drinking water, minerals, heavy metals,, fecal coliforms

Abstract

Background

Groundwater is the main source of water for drinking and other domestic use for the people of Banda. The main objective was to assess water quality in selected springs in Banda in the Kampala district. The specific objectives were to determine the pH, electroconductivity, alkalinity, turbidity, total dissolved solids, mineral, and heavy metal content of the water samples as well as their fecal coliform counts.

Methodology

Two samples were collected from each spring at an interval of one week. Electroconductivity and pH measurements were done on-site using a conductivity meter and a digital pH meter respectively. Alkalinity and chlorine content was determined by titration, total dissolved solids by the gravimetric method, and turbidity by use of a turbidity meter while Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy was used for both mineral and heavy metal analysis. Fecal coliforms were enumerated using the membrane filtration method. Minerals assessed were calcium, potassium, sodium, chlorine, and magnesium while lead, cadmium, copper, and arsenic were the heavy metals of interest.

Results

Results showed the following concentration ranges: pH (4.71-6.26), electro conductivity (218.80-621.00 µS/cm), alkalinity (10.35-60.40 mg/L), total dissolved solids (111.90-323.20 mg/L), turbidity (2-3 FTU), Sodium (16.11-34.45mg/L), Chlorine (17.73-49.25 mg/L), Calcium (4.81-20.05 mg/L), Magnesium (2.50-4.87 mg/L), Potassium (4.05-11.85 mg/L) and Lead (0.17-0.24 mg/L), Copper (1.69-2.66 mg/L), Cadmium (0.02-0.08 mg/L), Arsenic (0.005-0.01 mg/L). Fecal coliforms ranged between 1150 and 2700 colony-forming units/100ml.

Conclusion

From analyses carried out, spring water from Banda is chemically and microbiologically unsuitable for drinking-water purposes except after some form of treatment.

Recommendations

National Water and Sewerage Cooperation should take urgent action by carrying out more research on all water springs in this area.

Residents of this area should be encouraged to use tap water than spring water until further analyses are carried out.

Author Biographies

Twalibu Nzanzu, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Kyambogo University, P. O. Box 1, Kyambogo, Uganda

Holds B.ESTM (Hons), Msc. EVS, MPH and PhD. Lecturer Kyambogo University, QA Team University.

Joshua Barasa, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Kyambogo University, P. O. Box 1, Kyambogo, Uganda.

Holds BSc. Industrial Chemistry, MBA-HR

Sarah Kiwanuka Nanyonga, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Kyambogo University, P. O. Box 1, Kyambogo, Uganda

Holds Bsc.Educ, Msc, PhD. She is a Senior Lecturer Chemistry Department Kyambogo University

JeanBosco Binenwa, Graduate school, Kampala University P.O Box 25454 Kampala Uganda.

Holds a PhD in Leadership and Management, speciality is governance. He is the Director Graduate School and Research Directorate Kampala University Mutundwe Campus