Seasonal Impacts of Land Use Practices on Water Quality in Ngoma District, Rwanda

Ndayisaba, Leonard and Mihale, Matobola Joel (2015) Seasonal Impacts of Land Use Practices on Water Quality in Ngoma District, Rwanda. The African Reseources Development Journal, 2 (1). pp. 59-76.

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Abstract

This study examined physico-chemical and microbiological parameters in water from Ngoma, Rwasaburo and Rukira watershedsin Ngoma District which are subjected to different land uses. Sampling sites were chosen in proximity to residential and agricultural areas. All analyses were performed at Institute of Agriculture, Technology and Education, Kibungo (INATEK). The pH was lower in wet season as compared to dry season in Rwasaburo and Ngoma watersheds and the vice versa was in Kinuka watershed. In all the sites, the pH levels were not significant(p = 0.78). Conductivity and hardness were lower in rainy season than in dry season in all sites and the differences between seasons were significant (conductivity: p = 0.02; hardness: p = 0.35). TDS and turbidity were higher in rainy season than in dry season in all sites and the difference were not significant (TDS: p = 0.13, turbidity: p = 0.11). Total coliforms were lower in Rwasaburo and higher in Kinuka and Ngoma area in the rainy season than in dry season and the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.39). Escherichia coli and enterococci were higher in the rainy season than dry season in all sites and the differences were not significant (E.coli: p = 0.64; enterococci: p = 0.44). The pH, TDS and hardness values were all below the WHO and Rwanda standard guidelinesin all seasons. TDS and turbidity levels were higher than the WHO and Rwanda standard guidelines. All microorganism indicators were higher than the WHO and Rwanda standard guidelines in water in all seasons. This comparison indicatespollution of water is due to anthropogenic activities within the watershed. The water from these watersheds needs further treatment before it can be suitable for human use. Regular physico-chemical and biological analyses on the water quality in this area should be done.

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