Water Quality, Pollution and Management of Kuuru River, Meru County, Kenya

Abstract

Water pollution is a significant concern as it impacts the quality and availability of essential water resources. The Kuuru River, a tributary of the Tana River in Meru County, is vital for drinking water and irrigation. This study evaluated water quality, land use, and environmental conservation in the Kuuru River's riparian zone, from its source to the Kathita River. It also assessed institutional contributions to river conservation under the legislative framework. Turbidity, total dissolved solids (TDS), pH, temperature, electrical conductivity (EC), nitrates, and phosphates from 18 water samples. A descriptive survey using semi-structured questionnaires was administered to 384 household heads to obtain data on land use and environmental conservation practices. Semi-structured questionnaires were also administered to 6 key informants from relevant institutions to gather information on their interventions in the river protection activities. Physicochemical parameters were analysed using one-way ANOVA, and a One-sample t-test was employed to determine whether the values exceeded the permissible standards. The questionnaires were entered into SPSS software for data management, where comparative analysis was used for data analysis. Among the parameters measured TDS (94.4-230mg/L), pH (7.06-8.29), temperature (19.4-20.90C) and Nitrates (0.0045-0.0125mg/L) met the set standards by World Health Organization (WHO), the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA), and the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) for drinking water. However, levels of EC (461S/m), turbidity (640NTU) and phosphates(3mg/L) were elevated, indicating the presence of pollutants. Anthropogenic activities in Maskani, Kanthiari, Kimachia markets and Meru-Mikinduri highway were identified as the main drivers of pollution. The study highlighted a lack of awareness regarding riparian conservation, linked to inadequate stakeholder involvement and support. It recommends periodic water quality assessments and increased stakeholder engagement for better conservation awareness.