Publication: A Comparative Study of the Physiochemical and Bacteriological Parameters of Potable Water from Different Sources in Kitui County, Kenya
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2022-11-30
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National Research fund (NRF), South Eastern Kenya University
Publisher
Journal of Environment and Earth Science
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Abstract
Developing nations are experiencing an ever-increasing demand for safe water due to climate change and the
ever-increasing human population. Various strategies including construction of shallow wells, boreholes and
sand dams along the river are done to make water available to various households. However, availability of
water sources near are faced with challenges of pollution from a variety of sources. The aim of this study was to
determine the levels of selected bacteriological and physico-chemical parameters in three potable water sources
namely Kiembeni borehole, Mwitasyano River and Kalundu Dam in Kitui County. The quality of this water was
compared to the standards for potable water prescribed by Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS). Representative
sampling was conducted during the wet season (October 2019) and the dry season (August 2020) in the three
sampling sites. The samples were analyzed for physico-chemical parameters: pH, color, turbidity, alkalinity,
conductivity, iron, calcium, magnesium, hardness, chloride, fluoride, sulphates, ammonia, total dissolved solids
and bacteriological parameters: total and fecal coliform. The analysis was performed at the Kenya Water Institute
(KEWI) laboratory using standard procedures. The values obtained for the different water sources in the wet
season and dry season were pooled and mean values calculated to determine the overall quality of drinking water.
The results indicated that all the water sources had fecal coliform levels unsuitable for drinking water. Most of
the values obtained for pH, color, alkalinity, conductivity, calcium, fluoride and sulphates in all sources of water
were within the recommended potable water standards by KEBS. However, turbidity, iron and total coliform
obtained values for borehole water samples were not within the recommended KEBS standards. The river and
dam water samples were within the recommended standards for magnesium, hardness, chloride, ammonia and
total dissolved solids. Although results indicate that some of the physico-chemical parameters were in
conformance with the recommended standards, the overall bacteriological parameters render the water unsuitable
for drinking. Thus, public health intervention programmes should be focused on addressing various sources of
water pollution including regular disinfection of water.
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South Eastern Kenya University