Efficacy of Karie Waste Water Treatment Plant for Domestic Purposes Murang’a County, Kenya

Mwariri Simon; Kitur Esther; Gathuru Gladys

doi:10.37284/eajenr.8.1.2919

Mwariri Simon Kenyatta University
Kitur Esther Kenyatta University
Gathuru Gladys Kenyatta University

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37284/eajenr.8.1.2919

Sambaza Makala:

Ikisiri

Water is essential not only for life but also as the foundation of a nation’s green economy. However, inadequate access to clean and safe drinking water severely jeopardizes public health, especially in developing countries such as Kenya. This study was conducted in Murang'a County, Kenya. The aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Karie Wastewater Treatment Plant for residential use by examining key physical parameters (temperature, PH, Dissolved solids, electrical conductivity and Total Dissolved Solids) of wastewater before and after treatment. A total of 45 samples (500 ml each) were collected as grab samples from three sites, that is, the plant inlet, outlet, and a point along River Karie. The study was carried out during the dry season (January–February 2023) and the wet season (May–June 2023). In situ measurements of temperature, PH, dissolved oxygen (DO), electrical conductivity (EC), and total dissolved solids (TDS) were performed using standard methods and appropriate instruments (mercury thermometer, PH meter, DO meter, and conductivity meter). Results were compared against guidelines from the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to assess suitability for household water use. During the dry season, temperature and PH increased significantly, with mean values of 24.52 ± 1.20°C and 7.5 ± 0.5, respectively (p < 0.05). In the wet season, TDS and DO levels were notably higher, with overall mean values of 23.42 ± 0.2°C (temperature), 7.4 ± 0.3 (PH), 234 ± 0.52 (TDS), 5.7 ± 0.3 (DO), and 593 ± 0.13 (EC). While temperature and PH did not significantly differ among the sampling stations (p > 0.05), several physical parameters varied significantly between the two seasons. Although most parameters were within allowable limits for domestic water use, the elevated electrical conductivity indicates that additional treatment processes such as advanced filtration, ion exchange, or reverse osmosis are necessary to prevent pollution of River Karie.

Upakuaji

Bado hatuna takwimu za upakuaji.

Marejeleo

Akan, J. C., Abdulrahman, F. I., Dimari, G. A and Ogugbuaja, V. O. (2003). Physicochemical Determination of Pollutants in Wastewater and Vegetable Samples along the Jakara Wastewater Channel in Kano Metropolis, Kano State, Nigeria. European Journal of Scientific Research, 23(1): 122-133

Alcalde, L., G. Oron, L. Gillerman, M. Salgot and Y. Manor. (2003). Removal of faecal coliforms somatic coliphages and F-specific bacteriophages in a stabilization pond and reservoir system in arid regions. Wat. Sci. Tech., 3: 177-184

Ansari, A. A., Gill, S. S., & Khan, F. A. (2011). Eutrophication: Threat to aquatic ecosystems. Eutrophication: causes, consequences and control, 143-170

Ansari, M., et al. (2011). Microbial activities and pH variations in wastewater treatment: A review. Journal of Environmental Management, 92(2), 123-130.

APHA (2012), Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 22nd Ed., American Public Health Association, Washington, DC, U.S.A.

Atharizade, M. and Miranzadeh, M. B. (2015), “Evaluation of efficacy of advanced oxidation processes fenton, fenton-like and photo-fenton for removal of phenol from aqueous solutions”, J. Chem. Soc. Pak., 37(2), 266-271.

Awuor, F. O., Ouma, G., & Onyango, G. (2020). Assessment of water quality parameters in rivers receiving municipal wastewater in Kisumu, Kenya. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 192(5), 320

CSIR (2010). A CSIR Perspective on Water in South Africa-2010. CSIR Report No. CSIR/NRE/PW/IR/2011/0012/A. ISBN: 978-0-7988-5595-2.

Dallas, H. F., and Rivers-Moore, N. A., 2011. Micro-scale heterogeneity in water temperature. Water SA. 37 (4), 505-512

Dallas, H. F (2008). Water Temperature and Riverine Ecosystems: An Overview of Knowledge and Approaches for Assessing Biotic Responses, with Special Reference to South Africa. Water SA, 34 (3), 393-404.

Janjua, M. Y, Ahmad, T. & Akhtar, N., 2009. Limnology and trophic status of Shahpur Dam Reservoir, Pakistan. J. Animal Plant Sci., 19(4): P 224-273.

Kayyali, M. S. and Jamrah, A. I. (1999). A Study of Selected Pathogens in Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant Effluents. International Journal of Environmental Health Research, 9(4): 321-328.

Khan, M. A. and Ahmad, S. I. (1992). Performance evaluation of waste stabilization ponds in subtropical region. Wat. Sci. Tech., 26: 1717-17288

Kumar, S., et al. (2018). Stability of pH in wastewater treatment systems and its environmental implications. Water Science and Technology, 78(5), 1021-1028.

Lee, S., & Kim, J. (2017). Temperature variations in wastewater treatment: Implications for aquatic ecosystems. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 189(4), 203.

Maindi, N. C., Osuga, I. M., &Gicheha, M. G. (2020). Advancing climate-smart agriculture: adoption potential of multiple on-farm dairy production strategies among farmers in Murang’a County, Kenya. Livestock Research for Rural Development, 32(4).

Mbugua, T. K., Mwangi, M. H., & Kiptoo, K. K. (2017). Efficacy of Nakuru sewage treatment plant: A case study of dissolved oxygen and biochemical oxygen demand. Kenya Journal of Environmental Science, 14(2), 45–52.

Mwangi, B. (2021). Threats of Land Use Changes on Wetland and Water Areas of Murang’a County, Kenya.

Nel, N., Parker, A., Silbernagl, P., (2013). Improving Water Quality in Storm Water and River Systems: An Approach for Determining Resources. Journal of the South African Institution of Civil Engineering, 55(1), 22–35, Paper 797.

Omoto, E. (2006). A study of Nairobi wastewater treatment efficiency and effluent quality for safe discharge and possible beneficial uses. Msc Thesis, University of Nairobi:10-40.

Ovuka, M., &Lindqvist, S. (2000). Rainfall variability in Murang'a District, Kenya: Meteorological data and farmers' perception. Geografiska Annaler: Series A, Physical Geography, 82(1), 107-119.

Syagga, P. (1992). Problems of Solid Waste Management in Urban Residential Areas in Kenya. In The Proceedings of African Research Network for Urban Management (ARNUM) Workshop: Urban Management in Kenya, (ed. J. Malombe), University of Nairobi.

Trivedi, P., Bajpai, A. and Thareja, S. (2010). Comparative study of seasonal variation in physicochemical characteristics in drinking water quality of Kanpur, India. Nature and Science.8(4).

Walakira, P. (2011). Impact of industrial effluents on water quality of receiving streams in Nakawa-Ntinda, Uganda. Published master’s dissertation, Makerere University, Uganda.

Wang, X., Zhang, Y., & Li, H. (2015). Thermal effects in wastewater treatment plants: A case study. Journal of Environmental Engineering, 141(7), 04015025.

Williard, M., & Roger, T. (2013). Influence of photosynthetic processes on pH levels in maturation ponds. Journal of Water Treatment, 44(3), 233-239.