The bacteriological quality of water used at sands fish farm, Kanyanya, Kampala district.

Abstract

Sand Fish Farm is mainly hatchery based but also growing an out section. This farm uses water from the surrounding stream and there is a higher chance that water used at this farm is polluted through waste discharge, domestic waste, agriculture runoff, urban run-off, and many other various ways. The farm is surrounded by informal settlements where various human activities are carried out which accelerate contamination. This study aimed to determine the levels of total coliforms which indicates poor hygiene and E.coli which indicates fecal contamination in water used for fish production at Sands Fish Farm. In addition, assess the bio-security measures used at Sands Fish Farm to minimize loss resulting from bacterial loads in water used for fish production. Water samples were taken from six sampling points along the production line and analyzed for total coliforms and E.coli in a microbiology laboratory using the pour plating techniques. Results showed that water used for fish production at Sands Fish Farm has high concentrations of total coliforms and E.coli and this could be the possible cause of infections and mortalities reported at the farm. From this study, the culture tank had the highest concentration of total coliforms with a median of 29 CFU/ml while the lowest concentration of total coliform was recorded in the supply channel with a median of 10 CFU/ml. The supply channel and outlet channel had the highest concentrations of E.coli CFU/ml with a median of 9 CFU/ml whereas the hatchery tank had the lowest concentrations of E.coli CFU/ml with a median of 1 CFU/ml.

In conclusion, this study was to emphasize the importance of testing for the bacteriological quality of water used for fish production at Sands Fish Farm. In addition to sensitization of fish farmers about the best production criteria to minimize loses.