Changes in the densities of faecal and organic matter contaminants from upstream to downstream along Nyangores River of Mara catchment, Kenya

Abstract

Changes in land use for development purposes in the upper catchment of the Mara River Basin have threatened the water quantity of its major tributaries. This study investigated the effect of human settlement and development on the microbial water quality at various points along the channel of Nyangores River using Membrane Filtration Technique (MFT) to determine the densities of total coliforms, Escherichia coli, intestinal enterococci and Clostridium perfringens. Pollution with easily biodegradable organic matter was detected by Heterotrophic Plate Count (HPC) procedures and BOD5 determination. Temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), conductivity, turbidity, total dissolved solids and pH of the water sources were also measured at the time of sampling using appropriate measuring Meters. The collected data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17 software with a confident level of 95%. The results indicated spatial variation in the densities of faecal contamination and easily degradable organic matter indicators, p<0.05. Physico-chemical parameters studied also showed significant spatial variation except DO, p<0.05. In conclusion, the presence of anthropogenic activities along Nyangores River have impacted negatively on quality of its water and therefore appropriate corrective mechanisms are necessary to help improve and restore its water and uphold its ecological integrity.