Impacts of uncontrolled anthropogenic activities on the quality of Shankila River water in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Pollution has become a serious threat to rivers in many cities. This study was conducted on a Shakila river, Addis Ababa. The aim of the study was to assess the level of pollution and its pollutant sources. Five sampling sites were chosen spatially along the river watercourse. A laboratory water quality test was conducted. A correlation matrix was employed using fifteen water quality parameters. Sample from the upstream course reference for pollution analysis. Among studied parameters: turbidity (0.00-130 NTU), total dissolved solids (190–720 mg/L), total suspended solids (9–234 mg/L), chemical oxygen demands (40–140 mg/L), nitrite (0.012–1.12 mg/L), phosphate (0.7–35.60 mg/L), biological oxygen demand (7.6–188 mg/L), fecal coliforms (24–680 counts/100 mL) and total coliforms (1413–2134 counts/100 mL) were above the prescribed limit of WHO drinking standards. However, lower pollution status reflected in the control sample. Urbanization and industrialization processes were identified as major pollution drivers.