Physico-Chemical and Bacteriological Quality of Mbagathi River, Kajiado County, Kenya

Water pollution, being a common hazard not only to human health but also the environment at large, has subsequently raised an issue as to what measures we can take to end this. This study wasdone specifically on Mbagathi River and the results compared to the WHO drinking water quality standards. Physico-chemical parameters measured were; turbidity, total dissolved solids, chemical oxygen demand (COD), biological oxygen demand (BOD), nitrates and phosphates. For bacteriological contamination, total coliforms and faecal coliforms were analysed. Across the different sampling points, One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test for the significant difference (p<0.05) of all the parameters. Pearson correlation was used to determine the relationship between the parameters. TDS(423- 487mg/l), BOD(3.88-10.45mg/l) and nitrates (23.50- 62.70mg/l) were within the WHO standards for drinking water. However, turbidity (2.72- 105.33 mg/l), COD (15.90-35.33mg/l), phosphates (2.10-3.35mg/l), total coliforms (7-2400 MPN/100ml) were above the standards. Frequent monitoring of the water is important, so as to safeguard the public health.