Situation analysis of water quality in the Umtata River catchment

Abstract

The Umtata River was characterised by using standard physico-chemical and microbiological methods to assess the present water quality in the river. The results indicated high turbidity, gross microbiological and cadmium pollution. Turbidity values ranged from 0.28 NTU to 1 899 NTU highlighting the known problem of donga erosion in the catchment. Faecal coliform counts varied between 0 and 21 000 counts/100 ml while the total coliform counts ranged from 0 to 69 000 counts for all the sites sampled. The levels of cadmium varied between 0.01 mg/l and 1.0 mg/l. Nutrient levels were also high. Nitrate values ranged from 0.01mg/l to 28.0 mg/l as N while phosphate values varied between 0.02 mg/l and 5.0 mg/l as P. The high coliform counts and the nutrient values exceeding acceptable limits are indicative of pollution from domestic wastes from several informal settlements located along the riverbank. Water uses in the area were determined and were found to be mainly domestic and recreational. The gross pollution of the river exposes the local people who depend on it for their primary water source to serious health risk. Another use included livestock watering.

Ecological and Public Health Implications of the Discharge of Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria and Physicochemical Contaminants from Treated Wastewater Effluents in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

“…High turbidity has been shown to hinder the effectiveness of disinfection in water, and often correlates with microbial load within water resources [50]. Furthermore, inefficient chlorination increases the chances of trihalomethane (THM) precursors forming in the wastewater effluent [51]. THM are carcinogenic compounds that are formed as a by-product from chlorine and organic matter reaction, which may result in serious health implications for aquatic life and humans exposed to it [52].…”

“…This may in turn lead to less food being available for the aquatic animals [49]). Excessive turbidity affects the effectiveness of chlorination during disinfection in wastewater treatment, resulting in the failure of removal of microorganisms [50,51]. High turbidity has been shown to hinder the effectiveness of disinfection in water, and often correlates with microbial load within water resources [50].…”

Assessment of Wastewater in Duhok Valley, Kurdistan Region/Iraq

“…The minimum value was recorded in site Duhok dam was (748) µs/cm in September, but the maximum value (1326) microSiemens/cm was recorded in Baroshke bridge in March. This increasing occurred as a result to the domestic wastes discharge to the Duhok valley and the interaction between the acidic compound which form for oxidation decomposition processes with basic compounds that as found as suspended materials [4], [5]. Total dissolved solid (TDS) is the best individual value representing the salinity of the water.…”

Sewage discharges and nutrient levels in Marimba River, Zimbabwe

“…This occurred in the dry season and it was attributed to water losses via evapotranspiration and aerosol effects related to rapids. Eutrophication-related problems in warm water aquatic systems begin to increase at ambient TP concentrations exceeding 0.3 to 0.7 mg P·l -1 (Fatoki et al, 2001). The associated TN concentrations would also be of the order 0.3 to 0.7 mg N·l -1 .…”