Physicochemical and microbiological quality of springs in Kyambogo University Propinquity

Abstract

The availability of usable water in an area is the first indication of its demon- strated ability to sustain life. In peri-urban areas, urbanites utilize water from springs and compete disapprovingly for it amongst themselves and with ani- mals. The straggling populace and the compromised sanitation are deteri- orating spring water sources. There is an urgent need to analyze springs to ascertain their bacteriological and physical quality for possible cross conta- minations that may be of public health importance. This study evaluated the bacteriological and physical profile of water from three springs in Kyambogo University vicinity. Two weekly water samples from each spring for five weeks were obtained and analyzed. The physicochemical parameters (tem- perature, pH, turbidity, electrical conductivity, chlorides and sulphates), total coliform and E. coli counts of the samples were determined. The mean tem- perature of the water samples from Katalina, Airport spring 1 and Airport spring 2 were 20.53 ̊C ± 1.2 ̊C, 21.53 ̊C ± 0.60 ̊C and 20.33 ̊C ± 1.62 ̊C re- spectively. The corresponding statistical mean pH values were 5.33 ± 0.25, 6.30 ± 0.10 and 7.10 ± 0.46. All the springs were found to be microbiological- ly contaminated with total coliforms and E. coli above WHO permissible lim- its. Conclusively, water from the sampled springs are not safe for drinking and the immediate strategy is to boil or treat the water before drinking. Drai- nage ditches should be constructed uphill of the springs to divert torrential flowing rain water which carry contaminants washed from Kyambogo hill.