Evaluation Of Surface Water Quality And Suitability For Drinking And Irrigation: The Case Of Atebela River, Sebeta Town

Abstract

Ethiopia's Surface Waters, Vital For Domestic, Agricultural, And Commercial Needs, Are Increasingly Under Threat From Contamination Due To The Country's Growing Population, Rapid Urbanization, Industrial Growth, And Poor Water Management Practices. One Notable Example Is The Atebela River, Which Flows Through Sebeta Town, Serving As A Primary Receptor For Both Industrial And Municipal Wastewater Discharges. Despite The Evident Risks To Public Health And The Environment, There Exists A Significant Research Gap Concerning The Spatio-Temporal Variability And Complexity Of Water Quality Indicators In This Region. Hence, This Study Endeavors To Address This Gap By Focusing On The Atebela River, Aiming To Identify Potential Pollution Sources, Assess The Physical And Chemical Quality Of Its Water, And Determine Its Suitability For Various Purposes. Sampling Was Conducted At 17 Sites, Selected Based On Factors Such As Accessibility, Homogeneity, Mixing, Identifiable And Particularly The Presence Of Potential Pollution Sources. Particularly, Priority Was Given To Sites Downstream From Industrial Zones, Urban Centers, And Agricultural Activities Known To Discharge Waste Into The River. Physico-Chemical Studies For Apha 2018 Were Conducted Using Standard Procedures To Ensure Accuracy And Consistency In Results. The Findings Indicate That The Primary Sources Of Pollution In The Atebela River Are Industrial Effluents That Share Lion, Municipal Waste, Medical Waste, And Agricultural Inputs. Spatial Variations In Physico-Chemical Parameters Were Observed, Influencing The River's Suitability For Drinking Water And Irrigation Purposes. To Quantify These Variations, Water Quality IndicesWere Developed, Providing Valuable Insights Into The Overall Health Of The River Ecosystem And Its Potential Impacts On Human Health And Agriculture. The Results Show That The River Exceeds The Standards Of Suitability As Irrigation Water And Drinking Water And With Cooperation From Every Participant Concerned, It Seeks To Improve And Control Pollution From Both Point Sources And Non-Point Sources. Overall, This Study Underscores The Urgent Need For Improved Pollution Control Measures And Better Water Management Practices To Safeguard Ethiopia's Surface Waters And Ensure Sustainable Development In The Region