Assessment of the Impact of Anthropogenic Activities on the Drinking Water Qualities of Boreholes/Shallows Well Water in Huruma Estate -Eldoret, Kenya

Abstract

The objective of this research was to investigate the drinking water qualities of boreholes/shallows well water used by inhabitants of Huruma –Eldoret , by comparing the chemical, physical and bacteriological qualities with WHO standards. Samples were collected in the dry season in the months of January and February, 2014 and analysed for pH, Turbidity, TDS, Conductivity, Total Hardness, Chloride, Nitrate, Phosphate, Calcium, Magnesium, Lead, Zinc, Total Iron, Copper, Manganese, Cadmium, Total Chromium, Total Coliform, Feacal Coliform and E-coli. Standard methods were adopted for field and laboratory studies. Results of the comparisons from the four sampled stations showed that the water was not acidic as the pH was within acceptable limits. The turbidity level was high in three of the sampled stations with the highest in Lutheran church (55.0 NTU). The metals were within the safe limits. The heavy metals investigated were within tolerable limits of WHO standards with the exception of lead and total iron. Lead and total iron were detected in all the sampled stations but exceeded tolerable limits in Bondeni and Lutheran church. The Total coliform exceeded the tolerable limits for drinking water. However the hardness levels were within tolerable limits. These results showed that the borehole/well water from Huruma estate is contaminated with some pollutants entering the water table. The borehole water should therefore be protected and treated before consumption. There is need for periodic monitoring of water samples from boreholes/wells sources to ascertain their qualities.

Keywords: Huruma, Borehole, Shallow well, Physicochemical, Bacteriological