Assessing the sources of water pollution and mitigation measures in Kawempe division Wakiso District Central Uganda

Abstract

Water is an essential renewable resource for all forms of sustainable life and disturbance in its composition affects many lives. Water pollution has become rampant and serious problem in the world and threatens the health and well-being of humans, plants and animals thus hindering biodiversity conservation and ecological system. There are various sources of water pollution that contaminate water which are categorized in two i.e. point source and non-point source water pollution. Pollutants get to water and contaminate changing the physical and chemical appearance of water hence water pollution these pollutants are naturally and man-made. The research study was conducted to assess the sources of water pollution and their mitigation measures in Kawempe division Wakiso district. The following objectives guided me through the study; to identify the domestic water sources in Kawempe division, to identify sources of water pollution for domestic water and to determine mitigation measures for water pollution sources In Kawempe division. Sampling method was used and 11 parishes were selected and 32 respondents were sampled from these parishes of Kawempe division and provided data regarding water pollution. Water samples were collected from 9sites and tested in laboratory for data analysis and this was done using SPSS. Samples were tested to determine water parameters i.e. physical, chemical and biological parameters. Results indicated TDS values ranging from 20.8mg/l to 298mg/l with an average of 122mg/l thus indicating presence of minerals in water which shows water is not safe for drinking. The was presence of bacteria and E.coli in water samples and also turbidity of water range from 2.4mg/l to 8.9mg/l with an average of 5.7 which indicates the presence of suspended matter thus indicating pollution of water in Kawempe division. People in Kawempe face problems of water pollution due to untreated waste water, usage of chemicals in agriculture as fertilizers and pesticides and also usage of single plastics use that are dumped in water sources around streams in Kawempe. I recommend that people should be sensitized about the effects of water pollution, wastewaters should be treated to increase water availability.