Irrigation water quality analysis of Mitheu Stream in Machakos Municipality, Kenya

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dc.contributor.authorKitulu, Linge
dc.contributor.authorNzeve, Julius Kioko
dc.contributor.authorWaswa, Fuchaka
dc.contributor.authorKitur, Esther
dc.contributor.authorShitanda, Douglas
dc.date.accessioned2020-09-21T11:14:27Z
dc.date.available2020-09-21T11:14:27Z
dc.date.issued2020
dc.descriptionA research article published in African Journal of Environmental Science and Technologyen_US
dc.description.abstractWater samples for physico-chemical, heavy metals and bacteriological analyses were collected from 4 selected points along Mitheu Stream flowing through Machakos Municipality once every month from June 2019 to September 2019. The samples were analyzed in Kenya Plant and Health Inspectorate Service and Water Resources Authority laboratories then data subjected to one-way analysis of variance to test significant differences (P≤0.05). The results were compared with World Health Organization guidelines to assess the suitability of the water for irrigation use. Results showed that the levels of the Biological Oxygen Demand and the Chemical Oxygen Demand in Mitheu Stream were higher than critical values permitted by the World Health Organization for irrigation water. Nitrates and Sulphates were within critical limits; however, Phosphates were higher than permissible limits at all the sampling points. Heavy metals concentrations for Cu, Pb, Zn and Cr were within allowable limits for irrigation water, but Cd was above the limit. Both total coliforms and Escherichia coli counts exceeded allowable limits for irrigation water. As such, Mitheu Stream can be considered polluted and the water unfit for irrigation farming. The Municipal authorities, working with other relevant stakeholders should take appropriate measures to mitigate stream pollution from untreated effluent discharged into the stream.en_US
dc.description.sponsorshipThe research was funded by Machakos University through an internal research and innovation grant (Grant no. 2018/2019 FY).en_US
dc.identifier.citationKitulu, L., Nzeve, J. K., Waswa, F., Kitur, E., & Shitanda, D. (2020). Irrigation water quality analysis of Mitheu Stream in Machakos Municipality, Kenya. African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 14(9), 241-249.en_US
dc.identifier.issn1996-0786
dc.identifier.urihttps://academicjournals.org/journal/AJEST/article-full-text-pdf/3277BE664741
dc.identifier.urihttp://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/20415
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherAcademic Journalsen_US
dc.subjectPhysico-chemicalen_US
dc.subjectheavy metalsen_US
dc.subjecttotal coliformsen_US
dc.subjecteffluenten_US
dc.titleIrrigation water quality analysis of Mitheu Stream in Machakos Municipality, Kenyaen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US
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