Abstract
The study investigates the effects of Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth) infestation based on coliform loads which are pollution indicator organisms. These dams have fish and the waters are commonly used for domestic purposes without any treatment hence it is necessary to check their status. Sampling was done on 25 small water bodies and from which water samples were taken for microbial determination. Membrane filtration method was used to enumerate fecal coliforms by use lauryl sulphate broth and incubated at 44 ± 0.5°C for 18 to 24 h. The results show that water bodies infested by water hyacinth harbored higher levels of fecal coliforms compared to those devoid of the weed. The high fecal coliform levels have negative impacts on the lives of communities using these water bodies. In addition, it reduces native species and disrupts food chains and nutrient cycle. The small water bodies within the Lake Victoria basin need frequent monitoring in order to give the relevant authorities concrete information for proper sensitization to the communities. Water hyacinth should also be properly managed so that it does not chock dams that are used for domestic and fishing activities. Key words: Coliform load, infestation, pollution, local community, Eichhornia crassipes.
Highlights
Most of the small water bodies in the Lake Victoria basin, Kenya, were constructed by colonial government in the far flung areas to provide water for the adjacent population and their animals (Kaufman, 1992)
Recent studies have revealed that these ecosystems form important refugia for some biota, some of which are not found in Lake Victoria
The ecological status of an aquatic body is a function of the type and diversity of aquatic biota, the water quality and pollution while the high counts of fecal coliforms reflect the presence of other dangerous pathogenic micro-organisms that may threaten lives of the water users (Getabu et al, 1999)
Summary
Most of the small water bodies in the Lake Victoria basin, Kenya, were constructed by colonial government in the far flung areas to provide water for the adjacent population and their animals (Kaufman, 1992). The ecological status of an aquatic body is a function of the type and diversity of aquatic biota, the water quality and pollution while the high counts of fecal coliforms reflect the presence of other dangerous pathogenic micro-organisms that may threaten lives of the water users (Getabu et al, 1999). Since these dams are great importance to the local communities, their status in terms of portability needs to be well known. Total feacal coliform which is the most basic test for bacterial contamination in water pollution (Gram, 1997) was used
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