Assessment of Chemosit River pollution with urbanization of Chemosit Centre, Kericho County, Kenya

Water that is free of contaminants is necessary for life. River Chemosit passes through Chemosit Centre. The centre population is increasing due to numbers of learning institutions, medical facilities, businesses, industries and social facilities. This population has put pressure on the available clean water resources and waste management facilities. Inadequate waste management has led to environmental pollution including river Chemosit. The river pollution is negatively impacting the water quality presenting threats to the public's health and aquatic ecosystem. The study assessed the contribution of Chemosit Centre to pollution of river Chemosit. The study was carried out from August, 2021 to January, 2022. Water samples were collected and analysed for physico-chemical parameters. pH, temperature, Electrical conductivity, DO, and TDS measured in situ using calibrated portable professional series (YSI) multi-parameter meter model 35C, and UV-VIS spectrophotometer for sulphates, phosphates, and nitrates.  The data was analysed using the statistical package SPSS, version 22. The software was used for computing descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and correlation coefficients.  Spatially, the mean values for parameters were 7.0 ± 0.05 (pH), 24.15 °C ± 0.18 (temperature), 1187.94 μScm-1 ± 30.84 (electrical conductivity), 8.99 mgL-1 ± 0.06 (DO), 1460.06 mgL-1 ± 69.14 (TDS), 0.08 mgL-1 ± 0.005 (sulphates), 0.40 mgL-1 ± 0.01 (phosphates), and 1.6 mgL-1 ± 0.09 (nitrates). Seasonally, the means of pH, temperature, EC, and TDS, sulphates, and phosphates were significantly different between the two seasons except for DO, and nitrates. The means for pH, EC, sulphates and nitrates were within the WHO guidelines for domestic water use. The Correlation coefficient analysis for physico-chemical parameters indicates strong positive and negative relationship. In conclusion, river Chemosit is receiving pollutants from diffuse sources in addition from Chemosit Centre. The sources include effluent discharge from domestic and industrial sources and other human activities in the riparian zones along the river path. Therefore, preventing further pollution and complying with the NEMA and WHO standards for water usage, there is need for water quality monitoring.