Establishing a link between spring water quality and waterborne diseases occurrence in Lubigi Catchment (Bwaise, Nabweru and Kawala) Kampala Uganda

Abstract

The research study was aimed at assessing whether there is a clear link between spring water quality and water borne disease occurrence in Lubigi catchment. Previous studies have shown that 1.8 billion people worldwide drink water that is faecally contaminated. Densely populated areas experience water pollution and heavy disease burden. Most people rely on groundwater to meet their water demand. Annually, water borne diseases kill about 3.4 million people worldwide. Uganda has had epidemics of water-borne diseases including cholera and typhoid cases. The following activities were carried out; field visits, calibration of instruments, sample collection and handling, in-situ measurements, laboratory measurements, selection of springs and frequency of sampling, household questionnaires, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and epidemiological surveillance data collection. The results showed that the water quality is generally not good but it is worse in the wet season. During the wet season is also when the water borne disease occurrence is more with more cases registered in the medical centres. There is a strong relationship between the water borne diseases and spring water quality. Ensure proper record keeping and improved epidemiological surveillance system, for effective monitoring of diseases in the study area. The spring water should be monitored and if possible improve the water quality because a great number if people still rely on them. It is also a cheaper source of water.