Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6), Climate Action (SDG 13)
Evaluating the physicochemical properties of Maqalika Dam: implications for water quality and sustainable development Mpho Thamae Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, National University of Lesotho. E-mail: sylviathamae4@gmail.com Water is fundamental to human health, environmental stability, and socio-economic development. Essential for drinking, sanitation, agriculture, and industrial processes. Despite its critical importance, water resources are under increasing pressure from pollution and climate change. This study examined the physicochemical properties of water in Maqalika Dam, a reservoir within Maseru residential area focusing on parameters like temperature, pH, salinity, conductivity, dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), turbidity, total suspended solids (TSS), water hardness, and alkalinity. Most of the measured parameters were within acceptable limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines. However, the TSS level was slightly elevated while water hardness and alkalinity levels were relatively low, indicating the vulnerability of the dam to pollution and its reduced ability to balance changes in acidity, making it vulnerable to environmental changes. These findings emphasize how pollution has significantly degraded the water quality, rendering it unsuitable for use. This study underscores the gap Lesotho must bridge to achieve SDG 6 (Clean water and Sanitation). It is therefore recommended that the government should enforce strict regulations on waste disposal into or near water bodies and take actionable measures to safeguard environmental and human health in the country. Key words: Lesotho, physicochemical properties, water quality, water management, sustainable management References 1. EPA. (2016). National Primary Drinking Water Regulations . 2. Gwimbi P., Kotelo T. and Selimo M.J., (2020). Heavy metal concentrations in sediments and Cyprinus carpio from Maqalika Reservoir- Maseru, Lesotho: An analysis of potential health risks to fish consumers . 3. Letsie M., (2005). Utilisation of Maqalika Reservoir as a Source of Potable Water for Maseru City in Lesotho . 4. World Health Organization. (2017). Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality .
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