A study of the degree of Pollution in Nakivubo Channel, Kampala, Uganda

J Kayima,W Komakech,M Kyakula,Sp Echimu

doi:10.4314/jasem.v12i2.55540

Abstract

Nakivubo channel traverses highly populated Kampala slums, markets, industrial areas and a wetland. It discharges its water at Murchison bay in Lake Victoria. The degree of pollution in the channel has a directeffect on the aquatic life in the lake, the health of communities along the channel, and the cost of water treatment since its discharge point is only 2kms from the raw water intake for the city. This research investigated the degree of pollution in the channel so that appropriate purification measures may be taken either at the pollution source or in the channel before discharge to the lake. Samples were taken at four points along the channel during the wet and dry seasons. The samples were tested for pH, BOD, COD, TSS, E-Coli, EC, TN, and O-PO4. These were compared with the standards set by NEMA for waste water. It was found that there is a high degree of pollution in the channel. Thewetland before the lake helps to bring down pollution levels but this should be supplemented by pretreatment before discharge into the channel. Recommendations on reduction of pollution in the channel were made.

Highlights

Nakivubo channel is about 12.3km long, with a catchment area of about 50km2, It has a number of tributary streams such as Nakulabye, Kitante and Lugogo
The study revealed that the values of BOD and Chemical oxygen demand (COD) along the channel are higher than the values allowed by National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) standards
Despite the fact that the that at Makerere Kivulu slums there were a number flow in the channel increases more than 3times of cases identified where human excreta was during the wet season, the wet season shows discharged from the pit latrines directly into the relatively higher values of Total suspended solids (TSS) than the dry season, channel including one case of a government aided this is because the flood water carries a lot of Secondary school, Kampala SS

Summary

Introduction

Nakivubo channel is about 12.3km long, with a catchment area of about 50km2 , It has a number of tributary streams such as Nakulabye, Kitante and Lugogo. This study tested and analyzed the Nakivubo channel waters at different sampling points for waste water parameters and compared them with the guidelines set by National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) standards for municipal effluents. Location of Sampling Points Samples of the Nakivubo Channel waters were collected, tested and analyzed for various waste water parameters during both the wet and dry seasons, these were compared with NEMA Standards.

Results

Conclusion