Publication Date:
2021-05-19
Description:
The impact of water quality changes in the Lake Victoria basin on beneficial uses is discussed. Beneficial uses of resources from the lake basin are very significant for the livelihoods of the riparian communities and the respective countries. The basin is also a source of fish and fish-products to national and international markets. The relationships between water quality, ecosystem health and socio-economic implications and human health are manifold and complex. Valuation of impacts and need for action in response to the impacts are addressed. Findings showed that banned organochlorines e.g. DDT is still being used in the catchments. Mercury contamination of soil and watercourses occurs but is still very localized. The levels of heavy metals in Lake Victoria waters and fish are within the acceptable limits of the international standards. Waterborne/water-related diseases including diarrhoea, dysentery, amoebiasis, typhoid, intestinal worms, bilharzia, malaria, skin diseases and eye infections have increased in the basin. HIV/AIDS and other STDs were also common at landing sites. Agriculture, urban runoff, municipal, domestic and industrial wastes are the major sources of pollution that contributes to the flourishing of water borne pathogens. In most fishing villages, sanitary conditions were poor, and even latrines were inadequate or lacking. Some major towns along the shores such as Bukoba and Musoma (Tanzania) have no sewerage systems while the major cities are still under serviced. Destruction of wetlands has aggravated the situation by removing buffering capacity for pollution loads. Highly toxic blue-green algal blooms consisting of Microcystis and Anabaena spp. dominate the nearshores of bays and gulfs. It was noted that water quality change in the basin has adversely affected the beneficial uses of Lake Victoria basin waters by the riparian communities. These trends need to be controlled or reversed; hence the need for action. Recommendations for appropriate agencies and LVEMP phase 2 to undertake in order to restore the lake basin to pre- 1980s conditions to improve on the beneficial uses are suggested.
Description:
Published
Keywords:
Riparian environments
;
Water quality
;
Environmental diseases
;
Heavy metals
;
Pollution effects
Repository Name:
AquaDocs
Type:
Report Section
,
Not Known
Format:
pp.141-171
Permalink
