Effects of Seasonal Variations in Physical Parameters on Quality of Gravity Flow Water in Kyanamira Sub-County, Kabale District, Uganda

Abstract

The effect of seasonal variations in physical parameters on quality of gravity flow water was investigated in Kyanamira Sub-County, Kabale District, Uganda. The seasonal variations in the physical parameters (pH, temperature, electrical conductivity (EC), turbidity, colour, total dissolved solids (TDS), and total suspended solids (TSS)) were determined during wet and dry seasons. Composite samples from gravity flow water sources were collected monthly from March to August, 2014 and then analyzed. Temperature was measured using thermometer; pH, EC and TDS were determined using a multimeter, turbidity, colour and total suspended solids were determined by spectrophotometric method. TDS, pH and temperature were the most contributing parameters to water quality variations in both seasons. The mean pH values varied between 3.78-4.84 from March to August, 2014 at all study sites. These pH values were consistently below the WHO permissible range of 6.5-8.5. Similarly, total suspended solids varied between 0.66-2.17 mg•L −1 and were well above the recommended WHO limit of zero mg•L −1 at all study sites. Turbidity mean values varied between 0.83-3.7 NTU and were outside the recommended limits of 3 NTU at Kigata (3.7 NTU) only. Temperatures (20.3˚C-21.15˚C) for all the study sites were within the recommended limit of 20˚C-30˚C in water for domestic purposes. The mean values of physical parameters for the wet season were: temperature (21.12˚C), colour (12.5 PtCoU), turbidity (3.4 NTU), TDS (76.76 mg•L −1), TSS (2.13 mg•L −1), pH (4.19) and EC (152.7 µS•cm −1) were different from those of the dry season (temperature (20.99˚C), colour (0.93 PtCoU), turbidity (0.53 NTU), TDS (77.33 mg•L −1), TSS (0.67 mg•L −1), pH (4.86) and EC (158.65 µS•cm −1). Basing on these findings above, it was evident to justify discouraging the use of gravity flow water at these study sites for domestic purposes without proper treatment.

Impact of Leachate from Northern Landfill Site in Bloemfontein on Water and Soil Quality: Implications for Water and Food Security

“…All the borehole samples had TDS concentrations above these permissible limits. According to Ngabirano et al [49], high temperatures during dry seasons facilitate dissolution, ion-exchange capacity, desorption, and weathering processes. Considerable rainfall had been received prior to sampling in March 2018 after a long summer period where the study area had been relatively dry.…”

Hydrochemical characterization of shallow and deep groundwater in Basement Complex areas of southern Kebbi State, Sokoto Basin, Nigeria

“…Temperature variability can be very critical especially where biochemical reactions are concerned. Because an increase in temperature by 10 °C in groundwater aquifer leads to doubling of chemical reactions (EPA 2001), the solubility of gasses, ion exchange capacity, redox reaction, sorption processes, complexation, speciation, EC and pH level are all affected by variations in temperature (Ngabirano et al 2016). Similarly, pH differs significantly (H = 9.86, p = 0.002) between the two sources of groundwater.…”

Status of shallow wells along major rivers of the Kathmandu Valley, Central Nepal

“…Higher temperature also increases taste, odour, colour and corrosion problem due to growth of microorganism (UNICEF, 2008). Increase in temperature also decreases the amount of dissolved oxygen, accelerates nitrification and oxidation of ammonia to nitrates and create oxygen deficient water environment (Ngabirano et al, 2016). Groundwater average temperature in dry season varied from 17.6 to 19.8 o C in which the lowest was measured from wells near to the Kodku Khola whereas the highest one was measured from the wells near to the Dhobi Khola.…”

“…change in depth of water, different timing of sample collection and mixing whether cold or warm from the surrounding rocks and soils in the plumes (Ngabirano et al, 2016). Seasonal variation was also occurred in wet season with value ranging from 22.59 to 23.66 o C.…”

“…Except in few wells, all other wells have lower EC in wet as compared to dry season. Evaporation rate generally is higher in dry season increasing ions concentration and hence increase EC but in the case of wet season there is dilution of ions due to rainwater infiltration and can increase water volumes resulting in a decrease in EC (Ngabirano et al, 2016). Comparing nine rivers, minimum value was obtained from the downstream of the Kodku Khola (0.09 mg/L) and maximum value was found in the sample fromthe upstream of the Dhobi Khola (6.06 mg/L) in dry season (Fig.…”