Assessment of the water quality of River Pager in areas of Kitgum municipality in Kitgum district.

Abstract

River pager is highly polluted as it was turned into a dumping place by the natives yet it serves hundreds of people with domestic water. This research, therefore, intends to examine the quality of water from this river. To achieve this, three specific objectives were examined; assessing the different sources of pollution on the river pager, determination of the physio-chemical parameters of water samples from the River Pager, and determining the levels of microbiological parameters of water samples from the river pager. This study used primary data where the researcher applied experimental research design with both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection. The obtained results from the laboratory were presented in form of tables and figures. The study findings showed that the physicochemical parameters measured and microbiological parameters determined had negative impacts on the water quality of the river pager. All the results obtained were above the permissible limits prescribed by NEMA. This indicates that the water samples from different points along the river pager need to be treated before any consumption. Therefore, I recommend that; the division water department should explore and employ water harvesting and conservation techniques, formation of a river management committee, and training of local communities and community members to stop unnecessary drinking of water.