Water quality characteristics of Lake Tanganyika in Burundi and Lake Victoria in Uganda

Abstract

Water is necessary for all biological life and industrial, municipal, agricultural, and residential processes. It is challenging to imagine living without water. Unfortunately, human and natural activities are causing the sources of useable water to become contaminated. Despite having enormous and unique natural water resources, Africa has experienced unprecedented environmental pollution because of the abuse of these resources. Additionally, population increase and urbanization brought by technological advancements have significantly worsened water pollution in Africa. The significant causes of pollution for surface waterways are untreated effluents released into the environment by humans and machines. It is still being determined if the emission goals set by several African countries for surface water discharge have been fulfilled. Wells and boreholes are essential sources of drinking water for Africans. However, because of their location in sterile areas, the natural water quality of these groundwater sources could be better. The primary sources of water pollution in Africa include agricultural activities, mining, roadside discharges, trash from companies and workshops, landfills, and e-waste. Oil leaks are a severe problem in oil-rich African countries. Lake Tanganyika is East Africa’s most significant freshwater reservoir, while Lake Victoria is the second-deepest lake in the world.