Hydrochemical characteristics and suitability of Kanzenze River for irrigation of akagera upper catchment in Rwanda

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to assess the hydrochemical characteristics of the Kanzenze River and its suitability for irrigation use in the Akagera upper catchment in Rwanda. In this respect, 12 samples of surface collected water in four sites namely Karumuna, Muzi, Karugenge, and Nyamabuye were at a distance of 100.00 meters one to another. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) standards were referred to analyze water quality parameters such as potential hydrogen (pH), electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), sodium adsorption ratio, soluble sodium percent, total hardness, magnesium adsorption ratio and Kelly index were used for the evaluation of water quality and its suitability for irrigation. Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis and principal components analysis. All parameters analyzed were within the FAO standards stipulated for irrigation. The mean pH of the water sample was 7.30; the mean TDS was 205.10 mg l‒1; mean sodium adsorption was 2.30 while the mean EC was 302.26 µS/cm which indicated that Kanzenze River is in category I of classification standard suitable for irrigation. This indicated that the Kanzenze River was suitable for irrigation.