Assessment of water pollution levels of water sources in Katwe and Katanga parishes of Kampala City

Abstract

Water pollution is a serious problem for the entire world. All water pollution is dangerous to the health of living organisms, but wells and borehole pollution can be especially detrimental to the health of humans. Wells and boreholes are used as primary sources of portable water by populations all over Katwe and Katanga. This research examined the different causes of wells and borehole pollution on the most used wells and boreholes in Katanga and Katwe slums in Kampala city. The effect of this pollution on health of the residents, the difference in x quality of water in dry and wet seasons. Laboratory tests likepersulphate digestion for measuring phosphorus, spectrophotometric method, nephelometric method for turbidity, gravimetric method for TSS and membrane filtration for E.coli were carried out on water samples from two wells and two boreholes from each slum. Results a great deal of pollution in the wet season than in the dry season except for salts which are more in the dry season than the wet season. The water quality index of each water source was calculated and this was used to qualify which water is safer for drinking and discovered open well water, more so in he wet season was more contaminated. Possible solutions were stated as well disinfection, well fencing and provision of an improved sewerage disposal system.