A study of the degree of Pollution in Nakivubo Channel, Kampala, Uganda

Abstract

Nakivubo channel traverses highly populated Kampala slums, markets, industrial areas and a wetland. It discharges its water at Murchison bay in Lake Victoria. The degree of pollution in the channel has a direct effect on the aquatic life in the lake, the health of communities along the channel, and the cost of water treatment since its discharge point is only 2kms from the raw water intake for the city. This research investigated the degree of pollution in the channel so that appropriate purification measures may be taken either at the pollution source or in the channel before discharge to the lake. Samples were taken at four points along the channel during the wet and dry seasons. The samples were tested for pH, BOD, COD, TSS, E-Coli, EC, TN, and O-PO4. These were compared with the standards set by NEMA for waste water. It was found that there is a high degree of pollution in the channel. The wetland before the lake helps to bring down pollution levels but this should be supplemented by pretreatment before discharge into the channel. Recommendations on reduction of pollution in the channel were made.