Chemical quality of stream and borehole water used by selected communities in Lushoto district, Tanzania
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Date
2020
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An International Journal of Basic and Applied Research
Abstract
The chemical quality of water in two streams and three boreholes from Sunga and Mbaru wards
in Lushoto, Tanzania was investigated. Water was collected at three locations along the stream,
including forest areas, populated area with agricultural activities and less populated areas with
agricultural activities. Borehole’s water was collected from three boreholes found in each ward
and analyzed for pH, hardness, BOD, phosphates, nitrates by standard methods. Nested design
was applied. Data obtained was analyzed by R-Software for ANOVA. Means were separated by
Tukey‘s honest at p<0.05. Significant differences (p<0.05) in all chemical parameters (pH: 6.92-
7.34; Hardness; 23.88+64.43;Nitrite 1.73 -19.80; Phosphate 0.58-3.90; Ammonia 0.02-0.08;
Lead -0.001-0.002) were observed in locations within the streams except arsenic. DDT was not
detected. With the exception of phosphate in both streams, all water samples tested met TZS (2016)
standards and WHO (2011) guidelines. This implies that stream water is considered unsafe for use
since it exceeded the maximum phosphate limit by TZS (2016). All parameters tested in borehole
water met the requirements for both standards except pH and ammonia which exceeded the WHO
water guideline. It is recommended that the communities be educated on the best practices to keep
water sources safe.
Description
Journal article
Keywords
Water, pH, Phosphates, Ammonia, Arsenic