Title: Groundwater quality index of Upper Athi River Basin in Kenya

Authors: Ebenezer Ashun; Kenneth J. Bansah

Addresses: Department of Geography, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya ' Department of Mining Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla MO, USA

Abstract: Groundwater is a major source of drinking water in communities located within three sub-catchment areas of Upper Athi River Basin in Kenya. Water samples were collected from 36 different shallow wells and boreholes located in these communities and subjected to physicochemical analysis. Water quality parameters analysed included pH, electrical conductivity, turbidity, total dissolved solids, alkalinity, hardness, nitrate, fluoride, phosphate, sulphate, chloride, potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese and zinc. Levels (or concentrations) of these parameters were used to evaluate water quality index (WQI) of the groundwater. WQI values ranged from 115 to 778 with mean WQI of 234. Groundwater in the area is observed to be poor in quality and requires treatment before use. High WQI values were largely attributed to high concentrations of iron, manganese, turbidity, nitrate and chloride.

Keywords: Athi River Basin; water quality; water pollution; groundwater; anthropogenic activities; heavy metals; physicochemical parameters; drinking water; sewage; solid wastes; water quality guidelines; potable water; shallow wells; pit latrines; water quality index; WQI; Kenya.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGENVI.2017.086709

International Journal of Global Environmental Issues, 2017 Vol.16 No.4, pp.217 - 230

Received: 25 Aug 2015
Accepted: 15 Dec 2016
Published online: 21 Sep 2017 *

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