Nutrient Loading in River Rwizi - South Western Uganda

Over five million people in south western Uganda depend on River Rwizi for some of their water needs. In recent years, the river has come under huge pressure from a number of challenges including pollution from urban wastes, destruction of its water catchment area and wetlands. The river's water maintains a permanent brown colour and smelly odour which are key characteristics of nitrogen and phosphorus nutrient pollution. A few studies have been previously undertaken to determine the levels of these nutrients in the river's surface water and their results indicate that they are constantly increasing. The overall objective of this research study was to build on these studies and identify the levels of nutrient loading and pollution in the surface waters of river Rwizi around mbarara city. Water samples were collected at three location points around mbarara city and tested at Kyambogo university laboratory. The laboratory results indicated that there are nitrogen nutrients within the water but are very insignificant in terms of the threats to human life. However, the study shows growing levels of phosphorus pollution within the river and calls for some specific and urgent measures to protect this water body from increasing urban pollution threats