International Research Journal of Environment Sciences________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414 Vol. 1(4), 1-6, November (2012) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 1 Impact of Human Activities on the Quality of Water in Nyaruzinga Wetland of Bushenyi District - Uganda Safari D. 1 , Mulongo G. 2 , Byarugaba D. 3 and Tumwesigye W. 4 1 Department of Biological Sciences, Kyambogo University, P.O. Box 1, Kyambogo, UGANDA 2 Department of Chemistry, Gulu University, P.O. Box 166, Gulu, UGANDA 3 Department of Biology, Mbarara University of Sci. andTech., P.O. Box 1410, Mbarara, UGANDA 4 Kitabi College of Conservation and Environmental Management P.O Box 330, Huye, RWANDA Available online at: www.isca.in Received 02 nd September 2012, revised 8 th October 2012, accepted 15 th October 2012 Abstract The study presents an investigation into the effect of various human activities on the degradation and lowering of water quality in Nyaruzinga wetland which is located in Bushenyi district, South Western Uganda. Water samples were drawn from six different places (one town supply, one water reservoir) and four contaminated sources near the wetland. The results were compared to both national and WHO guidelines. The different parameters assessed included apparent colour (AC), total suspended solids (TSS), turbidity (Tur), total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), total hardness (TH), pH and microbial activity using E. coli as a standard test. Experimental methods were composed of complexometric titration, turbidimetry, pH direct meter reading, spectrophotometry and standard plate count, using membrane filter technique. Results obtained revealed that most of the parameters investigated were outside the range recommended by both national standard and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Such results were mainly attributed to fish farming and sewage discharge from the surrounding institutions. Key words: Nyaruzinga wetland, water quality, pollution, human activities Introduction Wetlands in Uganda are estimated to cover approximately 13% of Uganda’s total area and they include seasonally flooded grasslands, swamp forests; permanently flooded papyrus and grass swamps as well as upland bogs 1,2 . Wetlands elsewhere in the world are regarded as one of the several natural resources. There are numerous important features of wetlands to note as a resource, such as their ability to treat polluted water by absorbing excess nutrients and able to settle sediments, microphytes removal of phosphorus, control of floods, flow regulation, drought alleviation, water quality protection, water purification, to mention but a few 3-7 . Wetlands can also be used to generate income through ecotourism industry which accounts for the highest national incomes of many countries including a number of developing countries 8-10 . The issue of wetland degradation in Uganda has mainly been attributed to the rapid population growth, increased rate of development like construction of houses that require sufficient and steady amount of water supply and the discharge of effluent from surrounding industries, institutions, and other human activities such as farming. With unacceptable levels of pollutants from these human activities, such important features of wetlands become severely ruined. Management practices of wetlands should consequently consider aspects of the effect of human activities on the water quality and the total value of the wetland. In reality, water quality aspects are determined by waste water with high concentration of nutrients, harmful bacteria such as coliforms and vibriocholera associated with human and animal excreta, worm eggs and shell fish 11, 12 . These contaminants are primarily influenced by anthropological impacts. It is always suggested and indeed a requirement that faecal coli forms (FC) must be absent in any 100 ml sample of water 13,14 . Although the World Health Organization has provided guidelines for drinking water quality, water pollution in various water sources has been increasing over recent decades in most countries 15-18 . Some of the other factors that may be impacting on the flora and fauna of wetlands include among others salinity, turbidity, nutrients, dissolved oxygen, pesticides, acidity and chemicals 1 . Nyaruzinga wetland is situated in Bushenyi district, one of the local administrative units located in South Western Uganda. Bushenyi district has a total area of 4,287skm of which 3,668 skm is dry land and 369 skm is open water. The district has a total of 250 skm of wetlands, constituting 5.8% of the district area. Only 52.8% of the wetlands are permanently wet while 47.2% are seasonally wet. 13% of the wetlands have been converted to subsistence farmland, and 14% into improved pasture. Papyrus and other sedges constitute 40% 19 . The district has three drainage systems; L. Edward/L. George and L. Victoria systems. The Nyaruzinga wetland lies in L. Edward/L. George drainage system and occupies a narrow valley (16.64 hectares or 0.17sq.km) surrounded by steep hills of Kacuncu, Kyeitembe and Kitakuka villages 19 . The Nyaruzinga wetland is situated between latitudes 00 o 42’South and longitude 30 o 17’ east of the equator. The wetland lies within the wet-semi