| 1 | Status of Water Quality in Mt. Elgon, Cherangany Forested Ecosystems and entire River Nzoia Catchment in Kenya显示文摘Water availability for both domestic and industrial use is a major growing problem in the developing countries including Kenya. The situation is further worsened by increasing human population and climate change, probably the most complex environmental problem facing the world today. Mt. Elgon and Cherangany hills forest ecosystems in the River Nzoia Catchment are threatened by the increase in local population. This is causing environmental degradation and disruption in the catchment areas resulting in drying up of streams and rivers and both water and soil pollution. The objective of this study was to conduct a baseline survey to provide information on the status of water quality in the River Nzoia Catchment and an overview of pollution levels, sources and possible mitigation measures. The study was carried out in August 2017 during the short rains. Water and sediments from 26 spatially distributed sites on rivers in the catchment were sampled and analyzed. The water quality (physical and chemical) was assessed through analysis of water and sediments. Both water and sediments were analyzed following the standard analytical methods. All the rivers in the watersheds forming the River Nzoia catchment contained high levels of iron in water which exceeded permitted levels for drinking without treatment and for domestic uses in the environmental. In addition, the turbidity levels of water were beyond accepted limits set for drinking water and environmental water standards. There was little pollution of water from heavy metals. River Nzoia near Webuye town and Sigomre bridge were the most polluted waters with levels of nitrates, iron, copper, chromium, with BOD (Biological Oxygen Demand) and COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) exceeding the accepted limits in the environment. For sediments, the contents of copper, magnesium and iron were high in the upper catchment of River Nzoia (foot slopes of Mt. Elgon). The levels of nitrates and phosphates in the sediments were high in the lower parts of the catchment. The recommended interventions to manage point or non-point pollution sources include: land and soil conservation to reduce erosion, precision in fertilizer usage, proper sewage and industrial effluent treatment and disposal. The mitigation measures should be at the sub-catchment level to reduce land, soil and water pollution. Technologies for soil and water conservation including afforestation on bare lands, control of overland flow, reduction on river bank cultivation and conservation agriculture practices will reduce pollution and conserve the environment. | Stanley Nadir Victor Jaoko Phesto Osano Paul Ongugo | 2019 | Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering(B)2019，8，2： | 0 |
| 2 | Effectiveness of a Wastewater Treatment Plant located at EPZ in reducing Pollutants Discharged into River Athi, Kenya显示文摘Information about effectiveness of a wastewater treatment plant is vital in ensuring the quality of water discharged into water bodies and the environment in general meet set standards.In this study,the performance of a wastewater treatment plant located at the Export Processing Zone(EPZ)along River Athi in Machakos County,Kenya was assessed because the final effluent from the treatment plant is released into the river where water is used downstream.Effectiveness of the plant was assessed through the reduction percentage of pollutants between influent and effluent during the dry and wet seasons.Samples of water were collected from the following points i.e.inlet,outflow pool,outlet and along the river.The samples were analyzed for heavy metals,Total Dissolved Solids(TDS),Total Suspended Solids(TSS),Chemical Oxygen Demand(COD),Biological Oxygen Demand(BOD),organic nitrogen,phosphate,color,temperature,pH,and total coliforms.The resulting data was compared with the established standards.Standard methodologies of laboratory analysis were employed as per Kenyan regulations of 2006 on waste water treatment and discharge.From the results,the waste water treatment plant was not effective in reducing nitrates,phosphates,TDS,TSS,color,and heavy metals i.e.mercury,lead,selenium,copper and cadmium.The inefficiency was more pronounced in rain season.Nitrates(-2.04%),phosphates(-66%),mercury(-48%),lead(-48%),selenium(-2.29%)and copper(-9.75%)were high in the effluent after treatment process during the rains than in the influent.However,the treatment plant was effective in reducing Chemical Oxygen Demand(COD)and Biological Oxygen Demand(BOD).Some parameters like pH,conductivity,temperature,color and TSS were within allowable values described by Kenyan and International standards for effluent discharge into public waters.The study recommends expansion or re-designing of the treatment plant and better monitoring of the sources or types of wastewaters received at the plant for efficient and proper treatment process.Further research required on the seasonal fluctuation of pollutants along River Athi to reduce pollution of the waters.This should be coupled with studying the role of river gradient in self-cleansing of the pollutants. | Godfrey Wafula Mwakio Tole Najma Dharani Stanley Nadir | 2020 | Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering(B)2020，9，6： | 0 |
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