Assessing Wastewater and Domestic Water Physico-Chemical and Biological Parameters and the Associated Human and Environmental Impacts: A Case Study of Ruwa Town
- Author
- Musara, Regis
- Title
- Assessing Wastewater and Domestic Water Physico-Chemical and Biological Parameters and the Associated Human and Environmental Impacts: A Case Study of Ruwa Town
- Abstract
- Wastewater management has been a daunting problem in urban councils in Zimbabwe over the past 20 years. The research sought to explore challenges associated with wastewater management in Ruwa. To obtain data, the study adopted a mixed approach design which used both qualitative and quantitative methods questionnaires, interviews and field observations. A total 92 questionnaires were administered randomly amongst residents. Interviews were done for key informants which included, 4 Management Representatives from Ruwa Local Board, 3 Technical Representatives from Ruwa Local Board, and the District Environmental Officer from Environmental Management Agency. Data analyses was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26 (for one-way ANOVA). A total of 33 domestic water (borehole, tap and well) and 6 wastewater samples (dam and canal) were collected for microbiological and physical analyses. One-way ANOVA was used to analyse microbial and physical data. Water results were tested for normality on SPSS using the Kolmogorov Smirnov test. Differences of physical and microbial properties across sample were tested by performing One Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The Post hoc Least Squares Difference (LSD) at 5% significance level was performed for pairwise comparisons for the samples. Content analysis was used to analyse data from the social survey. The results of ANOVA were presented as tables and for social survey were presented as pie charts and bar graphs. The microbiological analysis revealed that most of water sources (borehole, tap and well) in Ruwa are heavily contaminated with total coliform. In terms of physical nature, all water sources are within World Health Organisation limits. The major causes of poor wastewater management were undersized sewer pipes, aged sewer pipes, lack of funds, broken manholes. Due to the poor wastewater management, the community has suffered from outbreak of diseases such as dysentery, typhoid, cholera and malaria and the environment has suffered from water pollution and odour. The study concluded that the Ruwa Local Board and residents are failing to manage wastewater which is threatening public health and the environment. The study recommends the Government of Zimbabwe to allocate funds that are specifically for wastewater management in local authorities as tariffs paid are not adequate for maintenance of existing structures and connection of new systems.
- Date
- December 2022
- Publisher
- BUSE
- Keywords
- Wastewater
- Domestic water
- Physico-Chemical
- Biological Parameters
- Supervisor
- N/A
- Item sets
- Department of Natural Resources
- Media
-
Musara - SHEM.pdf