Physicochemical and microbial quality of water from the Ugandan stretch of Kagera transboundary river Timothy Omara 1 , Daniel Nimusiima 1 , Denis Byamugisha 1 , Emmanuel Ntambi 1 1 Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Uganda, 2 Institute of Chemistry of Renewable Resources, Department of Chemistry, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Austria Increasing global pollution of water resources undermine the efforts invested in the realization of Sustainable Development Goals. In developing countries, for example, water pollution is exacerbated by poor regulatory structures and improper waste disposal 1 . This study, for the first time, investigated the physicochemical and microbial parameters of surface water from the Ugandan stretch of Kagera transboundary river. Water samples (n = 135) from downstream, midstream and upstream of the river were sampled between February 2021 and June 2021, and analyzed following standard methods for examination of water and wastewater. Further, the samples were analyzed using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy for the presence of heavy metals: nickel, lead, chromium, cadmium and copper. The obtained results showed that temperature (23.38 ± 0.49 to 23.43 ± 0.54 o C), turbidity (24.77 ± 5.5 to 43.99 ± 6.87 mg/L), colour (118 ± 8.90 to 145.2 ± 30.58 Pt-co units), Escherichia coli (4.96 ± 7.01 CFU/100 mL), lead (0.023 ± 0.011 to 0.043 ± 0.012 mg/L) and cadmium (0.0033 ± 0.001 to 0.0101 ± 0.01 mg/L) were at levels that surpassed their permissible limits as per Uganda National Bureau of Standards and WHO guidelines for potable water 2 . These results are lower than previously reported for the Rwandese stretch of this river [3,4], but still presents potential health risks to the population whose livelihoods depend on the river. Measures should therefore be instituted by the East African Community member states to mitigate riverine pollution and ensure sustainable use of the Kagera transboundary river. References 1. Omara, T.; Karungi, S.; Kalukusu, R.; Nakabuye, B.; Kagoya, S.; Musau, B. ( 2019 ) 2. Mercuric pollution of surface water, superficial sediments, Nile tilapia ( Oreochromis nilotica Linnaeus 1758 [Cichlidae]) and yams ( Dioscorea alata ) in auriferous areas of Namukombe stream, Syanyonja, Busia, Uganda. PeerJ 7, e7919. https://doi. org/10.7717/peerj.7919 WHO ( 2017 ) 3. Guidelines for drinking-water quality, 4th edition, incorporating the 1st addendum. World Health Organization. https:// www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240045064 Nshimiyimana, F.; Nhapi, I.; Wali, U. G.; Nsengimana, H.; Banadda, N.; Nansubuga, I.; Kansiime, F. ( 2010 ) 4. Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution in a Trans-Boundary River: The Case of the Akagera River . Int J Math Comput 9, http://www.ceser.in/ceserp/index.php/ijmc/article/view/2477 Wali, U.G., Nhapi, I.; Ngombwa, A.; Banadda, N.; Nsengimana, H.; Kimwaga, R. J.; Nansubuga, I. ( 2011 ) Modelling of Nonpoint Source Pollution in Akagera Transboundary River in Rwanda. The Open Environ Eng J 4, 124-132. https://benthamopen.com/contents/pdf/TOENVIEJ/TOENVIEJ-4-124.pdf
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