Assessment of Water Quality Parameters in the Bikolo Watershed, Tana Basin, Ethiopia

Abstract

Horticulture is one of the thriving sectors in Ethiopia. However, it is also a risk for the environment due to the consumption of wide variety of chemicals and agricultural input that can affect different sources water quality. In addition to this Horticulture, use more water that can generate high amount of wastewater effluent. This study investigates the spatial and temporal variation of water quality along horticultural farm from Meshenti to Zegie Zuria watershed, Ethiopia. The effect of flower farm on ground and surface waters of tana watershed in Ethiopia was conducted during dry (January) and wet season (July) of 2017 based on physico-chemical and biological quality.11 water quality parameters from six sampling points were measured and analyzed. The results showed that GW (pH range 5.30 to 6.81) was slightly acidic (low pH) compared to SW (pH 7.32 to 10.67). GW turbidity ranged from 22.82 to 38 NTU whereas that of SW ranged from 15.82 to 87.45 NTU in both seasons. Chemical parameters measured in GW samples in this study were COD (ranging from 4.93 to 9.58mg/L) and BOD (1.35 to 4.20 mg/L) whereas SW COD and BOD ranged from 91.45to 129.33 mg/L and 3.52 to 27.53 mg/L respectively. TDS, DO, BOD, NO₃^- and PO₄^3- showed significant difference (p<0.05) between the sampling points of spatial and temporal distribution of physico-chemical and biological.it can be conclude that the variations may come from the pollution of water quality by flower culture.

Keywords: Horticulture, Biological Oxygen Demand, chemical Oxygen Demand

DOI: 10.7176/JEES/10-1-02

Publication date: January 31^st 2020