Impact of agricultural practices on the water quality of Rwakaiha wetland, Kyegegwa District, Uganda

Abstract

Wetlands are critical natural resources and perform a range of environmental functions. They are at times prone to degradation either directly or indirectly through anthropogenic activities which are undertaken in their surroundings. The study sought to explore the effects of agricultural practices on the water quality of Rwakaiha wetland, Kyegegwa district. Specifically, the study established agricultural practices undertaken in and around the wetland, and determined the physicochemical parameters of the water samples obtained from the wetland. Cross-sectional and experimental research designs were employed to achieve the stated objectives. A questionnaire survey was used to obtain the information concerning the agricultural practices undertaken in and around the wetland, while in-situ and laboratory experiments determined the physicochemical characteristics of the water samples. Results revealed that, crop growing including yams, potatoes and maize, aquaculture and animal rearing were some of the agricultural practices undertaken by the community members in the study area. Apart from Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) that exhibited elevated levels in the water samples, the pH, temperature, Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Electrical Conductivity (EC), turbidity and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) were all within the permissible limits as compared to World Health Organisation (WHO) standards. All the heavy metals tested were way beyond the permissible levels, presumed to stem from the agricultural practices. It is recommended that awareness be created to members of the community to intensify on the use of organic fertilizers. The government should highly levy taxes on the inorganic fertilizers in order to discourage the over application of the same, since they end up with detrimental environmental effects.