Hydrochemical characteristics of groundwater and its suitability for drinking and irrigation uses in makutupora sub-basin, Tanzania
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Date
2023-01-10
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AIP Publishing
Abstract
The focus of this study was to assess the suitability of groundwater for drinking and irrigation uses in Dodoma
Municipality. Hydrochemical investigations was conducted in Dodoma urban where twenty water samples were collected
from boreholes/wells to monitor physico-chemical quality. Groundwater samples were measured for pH, Chloride, Nitrate,
Electric Conductivity, Total Dissolved Solids and Temperature in situ while major ions (Na + , Ca 2+ , K + , Mg 2+ , NO 3- , Cl - ,
SO4 2- and HCO 3- ) were analyzed in the laboratory. It was found that the physico-chemical properties of the groundwater
varies from fresh to brackish and it is slightly acidic to alkaline. The Na + and Mg 2+ were dominant cations while Cl − and
HCO 3− were dominant anions. Furthermore, the results show that for most groundwater quality parameters in Dodoma
Municipality are suitable for drinking and irrigation uses. As for Chloride, the average concentration of about 1568.21mg/l
seems to be unpalatable for drinking. However, for the Chloride which was found at a range of 710-960mg/l in few
boreholes can be used for grapes irrigation, the main crop in the area, and 180-600 mg/l that was found in only one borehole
is suitable for stone fruits irrigation. The Nitrate concentration complies with the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) and
the World Health Organisation (WHO) limits for drinking purposes since its concentration was below 50 mg/l. Several
groundwater management strategies and recommendations were proposed to control the quality of the groundwater and to
get rid of groundwater problems. Furthermore, the study recommends frequent groundwater quality monitoring and
integration of groundwater into the water resources management for the benefit of all of Dodoma Municipal people
Description
Conference Proceedings
Keywords
Hydrochemical characteristics, Semi-arid region, Groundwater, Domestic uses, Irrigation uses, Sodium Adsorption Ratio