Impact of Commercial Car Washing Bay on Water Quality of River Nakiyanja in Central Uganda

Abstract

Car washing bays discharge a wide range of pollutants into water bodies which degrade water quality and affect aquatic ecosystem functions. The study examined the influence of the motor vehicle-washing bay on water quality of River Nakiyanja wetland system. Physicochemical water quality was measured by both in-situ and x-situ following standard protocols. Data was analyzed using one-way ANOVA. The study revealed higher concentrations of contaminants such as oil and grease, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, total suspended solids, and turbidity at impact sites associated with vehicle washing compared to the pre-washing bay sites, and these differed significantly. This affects aquatic ecosystem functions and probably posing health impacts to the direct users of water resources. The study recommended enforcement of water and environmental legislations and constructions of wastewater treatment facilities at each of the car washing bays to protect aquatic ecosystems.

Keywords

• Car washing bay;
• physicochemical water parameters;
• water contaminants;
• River Nakiyanja wetland