Assessing the impacts of wastewater discharge on river Aturukuku water quality (Tororo)

Abstract

The discharge of untreated high-strength wastewater into water bodies results in water quality deterioration of the receiving waters. This study aimed to assess the impacts of wastewater discharge on the water quality of river Aturukuku, Tororo. Water samples were collected from river Aturukuku at six points: three points upstream of the stabilization ponds, the fourth point at the discharge point for the stabilization pond, and the other two downstream of the ponds. Physicochemical parameters that were considered include dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand, temperature, pH, turbidity, conductivity, nitrates, and phosphates. Some data was collected in the field while the other was collected after laboratory analysis of the samples collected during the wet season. Using the results obtained, water quality indices were calculated to evaluate water quality at each sampling point, and based on these indices, water was categorized as fit for different uses. Points 1, and 5 were categorized as poor for drinking but could be used for irrigation, points 2, 3, and 6 were categorized as very poor for drinking and were restricted to irrigation purposes. Point 4 was categorized as unfit and this was restricted from any use unless proper treatment is done. The results showed that most of the concentrations of the parameters were within the standard limits (WHO, and NEMA). Based on the results above, it can be concluded that water quality in the region sampled is below quality standards set by WHO and NEMA, and at the WSP discharge point, in particular, the quality of water declines substantially as compared to the rest of the sampled points. Keywords: wastewater, water quality, impact, physicochemical parameters, stabilization ponds, and water quality index.