Assessment of the composition and quality of rainwater obtained from rooftops/ironsheets of different homesteads and industrial areas around kampala.

Abstract

This research focuses on the analysis and assessment of the current composition and quality of rainwater samples that were collected from the rooftops of different households and open spaces or free atmosphere around Kampala-Uganda. Both physiochemical and microbiological properties were determined in rainwater samples collected. Physiochemical parameters analyzed include; pH, odor, color, temperature, Turbidity, Electrical Conductivity, Dissolved Oxygen, Total dissolved Solids, chloride, total hardness and traces of heavy metals such as lead and zinc. Enumerations of the viable bacteria in the rainwater samples were carried out using microbiological parameters such as Total Plate Count, Salmonella, E.coli and total coliforms. The physiochemical and microbiological parameters were analyzed in comparison with WHO drinkable water. Two locations were chosen; that is the residential area and Industrial area around Kampala-Uganda. All the rainwater samples results were found to have high levels of dissolved oxygen, Total Dissolved Solids, and high total coliform, TPC organisms in numbers above the WHO stipulation for drinking water. The trace elements and heavy metals in the water samples were relatively within the WHO standard. For all the samples collected from the two locations, there was greater deviation observed from rainwater samples collected around Kisaasi-Kulambiro and this is an indication that rainwater may not be safe for drinking, except if the water is treated first. Thus, the treatment of rainwater and all other forms of water should be a matter of great concern to the government, communities, families and individuals in Kampala and other neighboring towns.