Microbiological Water Quality of Urban Streams and the Health Implications: Case Study of Sosiani River Eldoret Municipality, Kenya

Abstract

This study sot to assess the seasonal and longitudinal variations in microbiological properties of water quality in Sosiani River and the health implications on the residents of Eldoret Municipality, Kenya. In an experimental design, water samples were collected upstream midstream and downstream of Eldoret town from 13 effluent discharge points for a period of one year during the dry and wet seasons. Samples were analysed using APHA, 2012 water sampling procedures. Survey data on waterborne diseases was collected from the two government hospitals in Eldoret town: MTRH and Uasin Gishu County Hospital. Results were analysed using SPSS version 20 for ANOVA and correlation analysis. Sosiani River exhibited high mean levels of faecal and total coliform (1708.96CFU/100ml and 776.76CFU/100ml respectively) above WHO/NEMA standards of nil CFU/100ml. Faecal coliform varied significantly downstream (F=77.89 P< 0.001) just like the total coliform (F=93.92 P<0.001). Total and faecal coliform increased significantly during the wet season (P<0.17, P< 0.039 respectively). The coliform content showed a positive significant correlation with waterborne diseases which were identified as diarrhoea, typhoid and dysentery. The study concludes that water from Sosiani River is polluted and is not suitable for human consumption and or recreation purposes. Water sourced from Sosiani River should be treated before consumption.

Keywords: Sosiani River, Microbiological water quality, Faecal and total coliform, waterborne diseases