Abstract
We present the results of groundwater quality assessment that was done during the rainy season in November 2018 in the Manga region of Nyamira County, Kenya. Water samples were collected from three springs, Kiangoso, Kerongo, and Tetema, for the assessment. Water quality index was calculated based on pH, turbidity, nitrate, phosphate, calcium, magnesium, chloride, sulphates, fluoride, iron, total phosphorous, total hardness, total alkalinity, total dissolved solids, and total coliform. These fifteen parameters were analyzed and characterized according to standard methods and with reference to the World Health Organization and Kenya Bureau of Standards for physiochemical and bacteriological parameters which were then used in the calculation of water quality index. The water quality index was 21.32 for Kiangoso, 29.66 for Kerongo, and 25.64 for Tetema. The water quality index was found to be of excellent quality status at Kiangoso, while of good quality status at Kerongo and Tetema. The water quality index of Manga groundwater represented by the three springs therefore is less than 30 and can be used for drinking, irrigation, and industrial purpose. The present results are crucial for future management of groundwater in the Manga region.
Highlights
E use of pesticides and agricultural fertilizers which are categorized as anthropogenic factors [13, 14] to boost the growth of plants may result into pollution and contamination of ground water which has been widely used as the main source of freshwater
Water quality index which was originally designed by Horton in 1965 [20] and Brown [21] and later advanced on [22–27] is a crucial tool when water quality assessments are being done [28–30] by many researchers across the world [31–34]. is entails the use of various physical, chemical, and biological parameters that are characterized and compared to a standard regulatory value which is quality rated to obtain a single quality indicator termed water quality index [35–37]. e single value is important to any manager who needs precise and concise information on water quality
Laboratory Analysis. e samples were taken to the laboratory in Kisumu in which twelve parameters such as nitrates, phosphate, calcium, magnesium, chlorides, sulphates, fluorides, iron, total phosphorous, total hardness, total alkalinity, and total coliforms were characterized in accordance to the standard methods for physiochemical and bacteriological parameters as prescribed by APHA [38] which gives standard methods for examination of water and wastewater and with reference to the World Health Organization (WHO) standards [39] and Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) [40] standards
Summary
Water is essential for human survival termed as water is life [1, 2]. From the hydrological cycle, the availability of water both in the atmosphere, oceans, seas, lakes, and ground water forms a large percentage of the earth’s composition [3]. Water pollution is a major cause of undesirable water quality. E use of pesticides and agricultural fertilizers which are categorized as anthropogenic factors [13, 14] to boost the growth of plants may result into pollution and contamination of ground water which has been widely used as the main source of freshwater. It is necessary that water quality investigation or assessment can be done to find out whether the available water from the termed reliable sources is safe for drinking [18, 19] and other uses. Is entails the use of various physical, chemical, and biological parameters that are characterized and compared to a standard regulatory value which is quality rated to obtain a single quality indicator termed water quality index [35–37]. Water quality index which was originally designed by Horton in 1965 [20] and Brown [21] and later advanced on [22–27] is a crucial tool when water quality assessments are being done [28–30] by many researchers across the world [31–34]. is entails the use of various physical, chemical, and biological parameters that are characterized and compared to a standard regulatory value which is quality rated to obtain a single quality indicator termed water quality index [35–37]. e single value is important to any manager who needs precise and concise information on water quality
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