Assessment of Dissolved Ions and Microbial Coliform in Water from Selected Sites of the Upper Athi River Sub-Catchment Area, Kenya.

Abstract

Twenty one water samples were collected and analysed for dissoved ions and microbial coliforms from selected sites of the Upper Athi River sub-catchment basin. The metal ions analysed included Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Na, Pb and Zn while anions included Cl-, CO 3 2-/HCO 3-, F-, NO 2-/NO 3-and SO 4 2-as well as faecal coliforms. Physical parameters analysed included pH, electrical conductivity (EC) turbidity, total dissolved solids and colour. The analysis was carried out using atomic absorption spectrophotometry, titrimetric, ion selective electrode, gravimetric and lactose broth methods. The results showed that levels of dissolved ions in ground water were higher than in surface water while surface water had higher number of faecal coliforms. The high levels of dissolved ions in ground water was attributed to the geology of area while high levels of iron and faecal coliforms in river water samples was attributed to anthropogenic activities