Chemical Quality of Stream and Borehole Water Used by Selected Communities in Lushoto District, Tanzania

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.

Keywords: Water, pH, phosphates, ammonia, Arsenic