Orateur
Description
Lake Tanganyika basin has faced multiple challenges as a result of rapid expansion of human population in the riparian countries. Bujumbura was particularly identified as the greatest pollution threat on the lakeshore, because it hosts a variety of industries and pollution sources close to the lakeshore. This research assessed the quality and causes of degradation of the waters of Lake Tanganyika along two divisions in Ngagara an established and Kanyosha an upcoming division. Data was collected using in-depth interviews, field observations and water quality analytical techniques. A total of 168 water samples were collected over a period of two months taken to the laboratory for analysis of the physico-chemical and micro-biological parameters following established protocols. Results showed high means for Electrical Conductivity (930.3 ± 272.6 µS/cm), Total Dissolved Solid (456. ± 149.8 mg/l), Turbidity (374.8 ± 273.4 NTU), Chloride (52.6 ± 35.1mg/l), Manganese (3.1±14.7 mg/l), Total Coliforms (47.14 ± 53.96 CFU/100 ml) Escherichia coli (45.89 ± 42.18 CFU/100ml) for the established Ngagara division. All these were above the WHO Maximum Permissible Limits for Effluent Discharge. Most of the recorded physico-chemical and microbiological parameters of the water from the two divisions varied significantly (p < 0.05). The results revealed that urbanization includes road construction, establishment of towns and cities, building houses and industrialization, contributed 80% to the deterioration of the water quality of Lake Tanganyika. From the trend of the results from this study, it is concluded that the littoral zone of Lake Tanganyika has undergone significant pollution due to Urbanization. Therefore, waste waters should be properly treated before they are discharged into the wetland. Decision makers should effectively plan for urbanization without compromising the health of environmental resources such as water bodies in order to attain sustainable development.
