Intergrated Water Resources Management

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Water Resource Management Approaches for Sustainable Development in Kipkelion West SubCounty, Kenya
(IJRASET, 2020-07) Sitienei Anne
Although water is an important resource, it is threatened by anthropogenic activities both nationally and globally. Therefore, the present study sought to establish management strategies used in water resource management in Kipkelion West Sub-County within Kericho County, Kenya. The study population comprised of households and water management agencies within Kipkelion West Sub-County. A total of 394 households were randomly sampled for the study while purposive sampling technique was used in selecting 10 key informants for interviews. The study area was in Kipkelion West Sub-County within Kericho County in Kenya. Household questionnaires and interview guides were used in the data collection. The validity and reliability for the instruments was determined and adjusted through piloting and triangulation methods. Descriptive statistics was employed and results were then presented in graphs, charts and tables. Findings from the study showed that the main sources of water in Kipkelion West Sub-County were; Rivers and Streams at 48%, Springs at 22%, rain water collection at 17%, piped water at 5%, water vendors at 3%, water piped to dwellings at 2% and wells, ponds, boreholes and dams at 1% each. In addition, the strategies for managing water resources in Kipkelion West Sub-County can be divided into pollution management strategies at 44%, supply and demand management strategies at 25%, scarcity management strategies at 18%, quality management strategies at 9%, and conservation management strategies at 5%. Taken together, there is need to develop new strategies and approaches for managing the available water resources.
Application of GIS on the Identification of Suitable Areas for Water Conservation Technologies in the Upper Tana Watershed of the Central Highlands of Kenya
(IJPSS, 2019) Nganga, B. W.; Nge’tich, K. O.; Adamtey, N.; Milka, K.; Ngetich, K. F.
Low adoption of soil water conservation technologies has been one of the main causes for decreased agricultural productivity in the Upper Tana Catchment of Kenya. Proper identification of locations to scale-out the individual technologies necessary to improve water conservation is a key determinant for the rate of adoption. Our main aim was to identify the suitable sites for water conservation technologies using the suitability model created by the model builder function in ArcGIS 10.5® . The model combined the thematic layers of soil texture, slope, rainfall, and stream order, which were acquired from assorted online sources. The factors were converted to raster format and reclassified based on their suitability and were assigned fixed scores and weights byuse of multi influencing factor (MIF) method. The suitability evaluation was carried out by use of weighted overlay to produce suitability classes for each of the water conservation technique. The delineated suitability maps indicated that check dams are highly suitable in 50% of the study area. Mulching, on the other hand, is highly suitable for 49% of the study area. Zai pits are highly suitable in 43% of the study area. Majority of the study area is moderately suitable for the use of terraces, covering 41% of the study area. The highly suitable areas for the Checkdams are Machakos, Kitui, Tharaka-Nithi and lower parts of Embu. The highly suitable areas for mulching are Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Nyandarua and Nyeri. The highly suitable areas for the Zai pits are Kitui, lower parts of Tharaka-Nithi and the highly suitable areas for the terraces are Murang’a, Nyeri and Kirinyaga. Furthermore, the results demonstrated the effectiveness of GIS in delineating the suitable areas for the use of water conservation technologies.
Assessment of vertical and Horizontal distribution of Meiobenthos Alonga salinity Gradient in the Tana and Sabaki Estuaries, North Coast Kenya
(WIO Journal of Marine Science, 2022) Amisi Joel; Munga Cosmas; Wambiji Nina; Kimani Edward
Abstract Meiobenthos respond to variability in salinity gradients in estuarine habitats and are thus suitable organisms for ecological studies. The vertical and horizontal distribution of the meiofauna community structure of two major estuaries (Sabaki and Tana) on the north coast of Kenya were compared. The aim was to draw a meiofaunal data-set inventory of the two estuaries and to examine how salinity gradient, seasonality and sediment character-istics influence their structure. Replicate samples were collected from three sampling stations along the salinity gradient of each estuary. A total of 3,556 individuals belonging to 26 taxa were recorded. Based on seasons and across stations, the upper surface (0-5 cm) layer recorded the highest meiobenthic density (90 ± 42 ind.10 cm-2),followed by 46 ± 23 ind.10 cm-2 (5-10 cm) and 30 ± 8 ind.10 cm-2 in the deepest sediment layer (10-15 cm) stud-ied. The southeast monsoon season recorded the highest mean density (160 ± 22 ind.10 cm-2) compared to the northeast monsoon season (22 ± 12 ind.10 cm-2) for both estuaries. Results of the non-Metric MultidimensionalScaling technique revealed distinct seasonal composition in meiobenthos but not between the estuaries. Results of the 2-way ANOSIM test confirmed no significant differences in meiobenthic composition between the estuaries(p = 0.712). However, seasonal difference was significant (p = 0.001) with higher densities for nematoda (166 ± 99ind.10 cm-2 and 56 ± 29 ind.10 cm-2) recorded in Tana and Sabaki, respectively during the southeast monsoon season. At least 7 taxa out of a total of 26 were present in both estuaries. Salinity gradient, season and sediment depth were found to influence the meiobenthic densities and taxa composition
A Regional Assessment of Seasonal-to-decadal Changes in estuarine Socio-ecological Systems in the Western Indian Ocean. Published in Western Indian Ocean Journal of Marine Science
(WIO Journal of Marine Science, 2021) Jorge Santos; Johan C. Groeneveld; Fiona MacKay; Cosmas N. Munga
Abstract Estuarine socio-ecological systems (SES) in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region face mounting pressures from overexploitation, habitat degradation, impacts of climate change and governance inadequacies. A regional assessment of seasonal-to-decadal change in SES of three estuaries (Bons Sinais in Mozambique, Ruvu in Tanzania and Tana in Kenya) was undertaken along 2000 km of tropical coastline (3°-18°S), using a systems-oriented approach and information collected during the Estuarize-WIO project (2016-2019). All three estuaries were open and tidal, but differed along gradients of geomorphology, annual precipitation, exposure to tropical storms, drought, sea level rise, and rural to urban development. Despite physical differences, similar marine species, mangrove assemblages, seasonality in fish-based farming systems and cultivated crops, and fishing methods were apparent across the region. Key differences were related to the scale of anthropogenic disturbance, discerned from land use / land cover (LULC) change analysis, which showed decadal increases in developed-, cultivated- and grasslands, at the expense of wetlands and forests, and seasonal transformation of wetlands to agriculture and grasslands. The three estuaries represented a gradient along urban-production-conservation dimensions, brought about by rural to urban transformation, and by freshwater and sediment diversion for economic development in upstream catchment areas. Household surveys indicated strongly seasonal livelihood strategies, with highest diversity in peri-urban settings, and reliance on different combinations of ecosystem goods and services in coastal and upstream rural settings. Estuarine fisheries ranged from unselective, low trophic-level fisheries using fine-mesh nets at the urbanized and most-disturbed Bons Sinais Estuary, to a more complex organized fishery at the least-disturbed Tana. At Ruvu, fisheries and agriculture production exit the system to distant markets. The systems-oriented approach demonstrated that human-induced processes affected WIO estuaries and dependent livelihoods more deeply than inherent physical differences. A key conclusion is that research, management and governance will benefit from regional cooperation, given the similarities of the systems and the different levels of disturbance.
Effects of supplemental irrigation on yield, water use efficiency and nitrogen use efficiency of potato grown in mollic Andosols
(Springer Nature, 2021-08-18) Satognon, Felix; Owido, Seth F. O.; Lelei, Joyce J.
Low soil fertility and reduced seasonal rainfall contribute to low potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) yield in Kenya. Nitrogen (N) deficiency is the major problem facing by the smallholder farmers of Kenya due to lack of fallow. Hence an introduction of supplemental irrigation with an adequate application of this nutrient could increase potato yield. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of supplemental irrigation and N-fertilisation on potato tuber yield, water use efficiency (WUE) and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). The experiment was conducted in Nakuru County, Kenya for two seasons. The experimental soils are classified as mollic Andosols. The treatments comprised two irrigation treatments of full supplemental irrigation (FI) and rainfed production (RF) and four N levels of four N levels of 0 (N0), 60 (N1), 90 (N2) and 130 kg N/ha (N3).ResultsThe results showed that total tuber yield, marketable tuber yield and NUE were significantly (P < 0.001) affected by irrigation × N-fertilisation while WUE was only affected (P < 0.001) by N-fertilisation. The highest total tuber yield, 58.28 tonnes/hectare (t/ha), was recorded under FI combined with N3. Treatment FI significantly increased marketable tuber yield by approximately 125.58% in all N treatments compared to RF. The highest NUE of potato (236.44 kg/kg of N) was obtained under FI combined with N3 but not significantly different from the NUE of potato obtained under FI with N2. N-fertilisation N3 produced the highest WUE of 14.24 kg/m3. Significant correlation was obtained between tuber yield and number of tubers/plant (r = 0.75, P < 0.001), NUE (r = 0.95, P < 0.001) and WUE (r = 0.72, P < 0.001).ConclusionHigh potato yield and marketable tuber yield can be achieved in mollic Andosols when water deficits of the growing season are eliminated with supplemental irrigation and an application of 130 kg N/ha.
Mangrove cover and cover change analysis in the transboundary area of Kenya and Tanzania during 1986–2016
(Taylor & Francis group, 2019-05-20) Mungai, Fredrick; Kairo, James; Mironga, John; Kirui, Bernard; Mangora, Mwita; Koedam, Nico
Mangrove forests are among the most threatened ecosystems on earth. Some of these forests traverse national boundaries complicating their management due to differences in governance structures between countries. To improve the management of transboundary species regular monitoring is essential. Remotely sensed data were used to estimate forest cover and analyze conditions of mangroves in the proposed transboundary conservation area (TBCA) between Kenya and Tanzania. Image analysis was performed using unsupervised and supervised classification methods. The transboundary mangroves cover an estimated 11,906 ha; 55% being in Kenya, 45% in Tanzania. Ceriops tagal, Avicennia marina, and Rhizophora mucronata species co-dominate the mangroves of the transboundary area. The hotspot for loss and degradation of mangrove in the TBCA is Vanga in Kenya with a loss of 27 ha/yr. Harvesting of mangrove wood products have contributed to the loss of mangroves in the transboundary area. TBCA formation could play a critical role in ensuring sustainable mangrove resources utilization.
Effects of Population Growth on Urban Extent and Supply of Water and Sanitation: Case of Nakuru Municipality, Kenya
(Journal of Environmental Management, 2019) Muoria, Elizabeth; Moturi, Wilkister; Eshiamwata, George
Urbanization causes changes in social and environmental conditions with most of these changes impacting on the efficient provision of essential services such as water and sanitation. Nakuru Municipality was observed to be the fastest growing urban area in East and Central Africa. Research on patterns and trends of urban and population increase and their implication on water service provision and sanitation in urban Nakuru is very scanty. This paper presents findings from an assessment of the effects of population growth between 1999 and 2017 on urban extent and supply of water and sewage reticulation in Nakuru municipality and surrounding peri-urban areas. Data was collected through remote sensing and administration of questionnaires to urban Nakuru residents and key informants from NAWASSCO respectively to elicit information on the water supply network and sewerage reticulation in Nakuru municipality for the period 1989-2014. Geographic Information System (GIS) was used to analyze the data on time series. The results indicate that the population of Nakuru municipality and surrounding peri-urban areas has increased by 56.8% whereas that of built-up area has increased by 182.5% in the same period through densification of the urban core and expansion to the peri-urban areas characterized by urban sprawl. The water supply network and sewerage reticulation increased by 236km and 89km respectively within Nakuru municipality. The analysis of the maps shows that water supply network and sewerage reticulation are concentrated in the area around the urban core with very little spread. This means that the residents on the outskirts of Nakuru Municipality are not well served by the water supply network and sewerage reticulation. The study recommends involvement of all stakeholders in urban planning and in the water sector in order to increase water supply network and sewerage reticulation coverage both in the urban and peri-urban areas.
International Journal of Aquatic Science Temporal variation in physico-chemical characteristics, phytoplankton composition and biomass in Lake Solai, Kenya
(International Journal of Aquatic Science, 2019-10-20) Koskei, Eunice; Kotut, Kiplagat; Nyaga, Justine; Oduor, Steve
Integrating MFT-qPCR techniques in constructed wetland faecal bacterial purification monitoring; a case of a typical tropical hybrid constructed wetland system
(IWA Publishing, 2018-11-14) Omondi, Donde Oscar; Wairimu, Muia Anastasia; Maingi, Makindi Stanley; Otieno, Onyango Godfrey; Jepkorir, Kibet Caroline; Okoth, Ogalo Joseph; Bangding, Xiao
The sanitation control of pathogens in the tropical effluents needs much more attention to ensure ecosystem health integrity and the safety of human health. The common use of chemicals in achieving this in wastewater treatment has remained unsustainable due to much health concern. Indeed, based on the numerous challenges associated with faecal pathogenic bacteria in wastewaters, the focus is now on achieving higher purification efficiencies in the elimination of the human pathogens from wastewater through eco-sustainable systems such as constructed wetlands (CWs). Hence, the need to explore the application of constructed wetlands in wastewater treatment under specific local environmental conditions for accurate understanding and improved treatment efficiency. This study therefore aimed at monitoring constructed wetlands faecal bacteria purification efficiency through integrated non-molecular membrane filtration technique and molecular quantitative polymerase chain reaction (MFT-qPCR) technique. The results showed some shortfall in the treatment system and also proved that integrating MFT-qPCR in faecal bacterial purification monitoring within a constructed wetland system provides a more accurate and reliable outcome. Additionally, the wetland purification efficiency was low (<80%) with the dissolved oxygen posing the strongest influence on faecal pathogenic bacterial purification trend across the wetland. Hence, the need to regularly carry out dredging and macrophyte harvesting as well as the use of holistic and more integrative approaches such as MFT-qPCR in managing and monitoring the performance of CWs in faecal pathogen eradication for improved CWs purification efficiency.
Hydrological Drought Forecasting Using Modified Surface Water Supply Index (SWSI) and Streamflow Drought Index (SDI) in Conjunction with Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs)
(IGI Global, 2019) Wambua, Raphael M.
Hydrological drought in upper Tana River basin adversely affects water resources. In this study, a hydrological drought was forecasted using a Surface Water Supply Index (SWSI), a Streamflow Drought Index (SDI) and an Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs). The best SWSI involved combinations of rainfall and the index values integrated into ANNs. The best forecasts with SDI entailed composite functions of rainfall, stream flow and SDI. Different ANN models for both SWSI and SDI with lead times of 1 to 24 months were tested at hydrometric stations. Results show that the forecasting ability of all the networks decreased with the increase in lead-time. The best ANNs with specific architecture performed differently based on forecasting lead-time. SWSI drought forecasts were better than those of the SDI for all lead-times. The SWSI and SDI depicted R values of 0.752 and 0.732 for station 4AB05 for one-month lead-time. The findings are useful as an effective hydrological-drought early warning for viable mitigation and preparedness approaches to minimize the negative effects of drought.
The impacts of community-based water development projects on rural poverty among small-holder farmers: Evidence from the Ewaso Ng’iro North Catchment Area, Kenya
(Cogent Economics & Finance, 2021-03-12) Mwaura, Simon Ng’ang’a; Maina Kariuki, Isaac; Kiprop, Simon; Muluvi, Augustus Sammy; Obare, Gideon; Kiteme, Boniface
The main challenge with respect to water in the rural setting, lies in access, control and management. Collective action has been taken up following the International Water Management (IWM) principles and institutionalized in the Kenyan legal framework through water resource users’ associations (WRUAs). We carried out this study to assess whether this collective action has any impact on household poverty using objective poverty measures (consumption and income), a subjective poverty measure and a water poverty measure. We used 2019 household survey data of 652 randomly selected rural households from the Upper Ewaso Ng’iro North Catchment Area. We employed the full information maximum likelihood endogenous probit regression model to obtain the impact of WRUA membership on household poverty status. We find that collective water management can have welfare improving impacts for rural households, especially where there low public investments in water provision, management and access. We recommend that WRUAs be empowered through financial, legal and capacity building interventions to enhance their community impacts.
Nutrient removal efficiency by floating macrophytes; Lemna minor and Azolla pinnata in a constructed wetland
(GJESM Publisher, 2019-07-13) Muvea, F. M.; Ogendi, G. M.; Omondi, S. O.
The use of constructed wetlands for purifying pre-treated wastewater is a cost effective technology that has been found to be more appropriate for many developing countries. The technology is also environmentally friendly with the wetlands being habitats for many water birds and other aquatic organisms. This study assessed nutrient removal efficiency of two floating macrophytes (Lemna minor and Azolla pinnata). The data generated was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The significance level was maintained at 0.05. The results showed that the wastewater physicochemical parameters did not vary during the study period. The concentrations of nitrites and nitrates increased over the experimental period in all the treatments (Azolla pinnata, Lemna minor and control), and the increase between the sampling occasions was statistically significant for the two nutrients (Nitrates: F=24.78, P= 0.00; Nitrates: F=198.26, P= 0.00). To the contrary, in all the treatments the concentrations of ammonia, total phosphorous, soluble reactive phosphorous and total nitrogen, decreased over the experimental period. The decrease in concentration for these nutrients between the sampling occasions was statistically significant (ammonia: F=195.57, p= 0.00; total phosphorous: F= 56.50, p= 0.00; soluble reactive phosphorous: F= 37.11, p= 0.00; total phosphorous: F= 104.025, p= 0.00). Azolla pinnata proved to be better than Lemna minor in the uptake of the nutrients particularly for the soluble reactive phosphorous (F= 35.18, P= 0.044). We conclude that the two macrophytes are good for wastewater treatment. It is recommended introduction and/or multiplication of Azolla pinnata in the constructed wetlands meant for wastewater treatment especially within the tropics.
Wastewater Management Techniques: A Review of Advancement on the Appropriate Wastewater Treatment Principles for Sustainability
(Macrothink institute, 2017-03-11) Donde, Oscar Omondi
Water is an essential resource that is required to sustain life. Its availability has to be adequate, safe and easily accessible. Current trends in climate change and rise in human population has compromised water adequacy, availability and safety. Wastewater managers around the world have the responsibility to ensure that the effluent that is eventually released into the environment does not degrade the quality of the recipient water bodies. Attaining sustainability in wastewater management is top in the of Sustainable Development Goals’ Agenda. All in all, the realization of a more sustainable wastewater management will require a highly holistic and balanced approach in evaluating a particular management strategy's overall sustainability. Promoting the use of safe, affordable and adequately available wastewater treatment techniques is a step towards wastewater management for sustainability. This review paper therefore discusses some of the currently known and emerging wastewater management techniques that are considered essential in attaining sustainability in water resource management.
Characterization of anthropogenic activities influencing surface water quality along molo river ecological system, Kenya
(Ethiopian Journal of Environmental Studies & Management, 2017-12-13) Ogendi, G.M.; Moturi, W.M.; Kibitok, N.K.
Surface water is progressively subjected to stress as a result of anthropogenic activities. Systematic observation and characterization of anthropogenic activities along Molo River was done in 2014 to evaluate their effects on surface water quality. Portable GPS receiver was used to identify geographic locations of 23 sites purposively selected; based on their relative positions to the point of anthropogenic activities and included a reference located in the upper reaches. An observation schedule was used to collect data during dry and rainy-season. Chemical parameters were determined by spectrophotometry using standard methods and physical parameters measured in-situ using Wisenschafflich-Technische Werkstätten and pen type Dist 3 Model Meter probes. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The frequency of occurrence and percentages were computed. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze mean concentrations of various physical-chemical parameters and various sampling occasions. Maximum NO2 was (45.42±3.4 mg∙L−1), NO3 (44.1±0.1 mg∙L−1), SRP 50.25±0.4, DO2 was 0.3±0.0 mg∙L−1, conductivity (616±1.4 μS/cm), and TDS 405.8±8.1 mg∙L−1 while NH4-N 79.69±1.2 mg∙L−1, TN 109.36±09 mg∙L−1, pH was 12.525±8.0 and T ºC 21.4±0.2 ºC. Mean TP was 13.21±1.78 mgL-1 and 2.43±1.70 mgL-1 highly significant at p<0.05 i.e. p= 0.0001. Results indicate that there were significant differences in the means of NO2-N, NO3-N, NH4-N, TN, DO, EC, T°C, and TDS (p=0.0038, 0.0001, 0.0001, 0.0001, 0.0001, 0.0001, 0.0021, and 0.0001) respectively. Observed activities comprised urban-construction/dumping of waste adjacent to riparian-buffer-zones recording 18.4%, domestic animals watered at the river 28.09%, people crossing river using vehicle/motorbikes and/or on-foot 39.2%, children playing in the river 12.9%,water abstraction 11.9%, sand harvesting/quarrying 0.16%, septic tanks-leaks, waste discharged into the river 4% and Washing linen 4.4%.. Washing vehicle/cars/motorbike was highest at the site denoted M3, recording 265 observations. Frequency and intensity of human activities closely relate the results on physical-chemical parameters, interference from direct human activity than natural phenomenon explains the finding. The river water is unsuitable for human consumption.
Suitability of biosolids from university sewage ponds as a substrate for crop production
(Acadamic Journals, 2019-12-31) Otieno, Peter Caleb; Nyalala, Samuel; Wolukau, Joseph
Currently, sewage waste management is a serious environmental problem and one of the major growing concerns for urban areas all over the world. Utilization of biosolids (BS) for crop production may be a sustainable waste management strategy. The present study evaluated the physico-chemical and biological characteristics of biosolids from sewage ponds at Egerton University, Kenya. This was to determine its suitability for crop production. Biosolids were evaluated separately then as mixture with forest soil at rates of 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60% and compared with tea compost (TC) and coco peat (CP) in a completely randomized design experiment with four replications. Data collected included: macro-elements, micro-elements, heavy metals, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), bulk density (BD), water holding capacity and biological properties. Results showed that total organic carbon (0.03%), total organic nitrogen (2.0%) and Molybdenum (22 mg kg-1), in biosolids were significantly (p < 0.05) higher compared with forest soil, but not significantly different from tea compost. For heavy metals, Hg (0.33 mg kg-1), As (5.9 mg kg-1), Cr (31.1mg kg-1), Cd (0.38 mg kg-1), Ni (16.3 mg kg-1) and Zn (127 mg kg-1) were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in biosolids but within the allowable limits according to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards. bulk density (1.2 to 1.5) g cm-3 and pH (5.4 to 5.8) units, but high organic matter (195 to 230) g kg-1, water holding capacity (35 to 42 %) and EC (2.6 to 5.4) µSm-1). For microbial load, total viable count (TVC) and colony forming units (CFU) registered 5 ×10-7 and 6.5×10-7 respectively. However, Escherichia coli, Salmonella sp. and Staphylococcus sp. were not detectable in the fully composted biosolids. Similar trend of these results were subsequently observed in the substrates formed in the mixture of biosolids and forest soil and this provide insight on the potential of biosolids as substrate for crop production and a reliable alternative to soil alone. Key words: Biosolids, forest soil, organic amendment, substrate.
Some aspects of the biology of Nile perch, Lates niloticus, in the open waters of Lake Victoria, Kenya
(Wiley, 2017-09-14) Yongo, Edwine; Outa, Nicholas; Kito, Keiko; Matsushita, Yoshiki
Samples (6404) of Nile perch were collected monthly from commercial catches between June 2014 and June 2015. The total length (cm), weight (g) and sex of fish were all determined in the field, with 3771 (59%) being male and 2059 (32%) being female fish, for an overall sex ratio of 1.83:1.00 (male: female). The average length and weight for all fish were 55.38 ± 0.14 cm TL and 2355.10 ± 22.30 g, respectively. The size of male fish ranged from 15.5 to 128.5 cm TL and weighed between 190 and 25 000 g, whereas that of female ranged from 21.0 to 130.0 cm TL and weighed between 124 and 25 800 g. The value of the regression slope b of the length–weight relationship was equal to 3.04. The mean (±SD) condition factor for all fish was 1.23 ± 0.13. The condition factor was different in the length groups, with the highest (1.32 ± 0.13) and lowest (1.12 ± 0.20) values recorded in length groups 100–110 and <30 cm TL, respectively. The highest and lowest condition factors were recorded between January and March, respectively. The length–weight relationship and condition of Nile perch in Lake Victoria have deteriorated greatly, this finding being linked to the reduction of its prey species in the lake.
Variation of Human and Domestic Animal’s Activities with Discharge in a High Altitude Tropical Stream, the Njoro River, Kenya
(Egerton J. Sci. & Technol., 2019) C. M., M’Erimba; Chepkorir, J. K.
From ancient times human settlements and cultures thrived along rivervalleys which provided water for domestic use as well as agriculture.aspopulation grew, human activities impacted river valleys as well as affectedwater quality. An investigation was carried out during low (January to March2012) and high (August to October 2012) discharge regimes in the NjoroRiver to establish whether the river’s discharge dictated the visit rate andactivities by people and animals at three sites. The study involved countingof people and animals during the day between 1000–1300hrs that visited theriver, and recording down the activities. The visit rate by people wasstatistically insignificant between low (30.75 ± 5.64 ind. hr-1) and high(20.58 ± 3.41 ind. hr-1) discharges respectively, (t =1.544, d.f = 70, p >0.05). A similar observation was made in mean visit rates by animals(t-value = 0.725, p > 0.05). However, significant differences in the rate ofpeople and animals (pooled data) were evident among the sites during lowand high discharge periods (one-way ANOVA, P < 0.001). More menfetched water at the most downstream site than women during both dischargeregimes, and the opposite was evident at the first site. It is concluded thatdischarge did not influence significantly the visit rates and other factors thatare site specific should be explored.Disturbances in the Njoro River are ofpress type and requires interventionfor themanagementof this river.
Control of bacterial pathogens isolated from water using Actinomycetes extracts at Egerton University, Kenya
(Bionatura, 2019-01-12) Waithaka, Paul; Gathuru, Eliud; Githaiga, Benson; Kamunyi, Jackline
Diseases are the worst enemy to man currently. This study was aimed at isolating pathogenic bacteria from water obtained from shallow wells in Dundori Kenya. Also, the study aimed at testing the isolates for sensitivity to antibiotic metabolites previously extracted from Actinomycetes isolates from soils of Egerton University. Water samples were collected from shallow wells randomly selected from Dundori and abbreviated as A, B, C, D, and E. Bacterial pathogens were isolated from the water samples using the membrane filtration technique. The isolates were characterized using biochemical means. Antimicrobial sensitivity testing was carried out using Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method. Data analysis was carried out using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Comparison of means was carried out using one way ANOVA. Shallow wells B, D and E were highly contaminated with pathogenic bacteria. Biochemical characterization of the isolates indicated that the most common isolates were Vibrio cholera, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus sp, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus. There was no significant difference between the zones of inhibition produced by the antibiotic metabolites (F=2.149 P=1340) when tested against the test isolates. There were no significant differences between the MIC's of the antibiotic metabolites on the bacterial pathogens (F=2.01 P=0.15). Water from some shallow wells in Dundori is highly contaminated with Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Proteus sp., Vibrio cholerae and Staphylococcus aureus. The pathogens can effectively be controlled using antibiotics from the Actinomycetes. There is a need to sensitize the residents of the study area on ways of preventing seepage of contaminants into the shallow wells.
Characterization of temporal and spatial drought risk events using surface water supply index (SWSI) in a tropical river basin
(MEDCRAVE, 2017-02-16) Wambua, Raphael M; Mutua, Benedict M; Raude, James M
In the present study, temporal and spatial drought-risk events are characterized using a Modified Surface Water Supply Index (SWSI) for upper Tana River basin, located in tropics, Kenya. Forty years (1970-2010) hydro-meteorological data for low, lower middle, middle and high elevations at eight hydro-metric stations was used to characterize spatial and temporal distribution of drought. The spatial drought distribution is obtained via interpolation of hydro-metric stations data using Kriging interpolation technique embedded ArcGIS 10.1 was used. The drought trends were analyzed using a non-parametric Mann-Kendall trend test. The results show that south-eastern parts of the basin are the most drought-prone areas at different drought severities and frequencies. Drought severity classes ranged from 1.69-2.22 to 3.39-4.17 and 2.68-3.21 to 4.37-4.96 in 1970 and 2010 respectively across the river basin. The south-western parts of the basin exhibited highest drought frequency ranging from 10.61 to 13.16 while the north-western areas gave frequency values ranging from 3.74 to 6.29. The findings of the study are applicable in Early Drought Warning Systems, prioritized water resources planning and management.
Analysis of spatial and temporal drought variability in a tropical river basin using Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI)
(Acadamic Journals, 2017-08-31) Wambua, Raphael; Mutua, Benedict; Raude, James
Analysis of spatial and temporal drought variability in the upper Tana River basin using Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) was conducted. The drought is critical for formulation of mitigation measures in the river basin. A monthly temporal and 90-m spatial resolution was applied. This was achieved within ArcGIS environment. Climatic data for 1970 to 2010 was used for computation of the PDSI while the missing data sets were filled using Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs). The results of PDSI for dry and wet seasons at meteorological stations indicate that the time series plots for the PDSI values for dry season are generally lower than those for the wet seasons. The PDSI values for meteorological stations located at the lower elevation of the basin are lower than those located at higher elevation. On the other hand, spatially distributed drought severity based on PDSI show that the ranges of maximum and minimum drought severity values in 1970 are -0.868 to -0.804 and -0.675 to -0.610 respectively. These values of drought severity occur respectively in the north-western and south-eastern areas of the basin. PDSI values increased from the range -0.675 to -0.610 in 1970 and from -1.087 to 0.957 in 2010 for the north-eastern areas of the upper basin. The south eastern areas of the basin are more prone to drought risks than north-western parts. Use of the PDSI reflects the spatial heterogeneity and temporal variability of drought across the basin. The drought assessment offer technical approach for comprehensive understanding of drought for effective drought-induced disaster mitigation and its management, with a view to reducing adverse effects on livelihoods.

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