Browsing by Author "William, Matungwa"

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    Assessment of Temporal Variations in Shallow Well Water Quality Using Graphical Analysis and Water Quality Index in Half-London Ward, Tunduma, Tanzania
    (Mbeya University of Sience and Technology, 2025-03-01) William, Matungwa; Katambara, Zacharia
    Shallow wells are vital for water supply in regions lacking centralised systems, but they are highly susceptible to contamination from anthropogenic activities and natural processes. This study investigated seasonal variations in water quality from five shallow wells in Half London Ward, Tunduma, Tanzania, over a 12-month period to assess biological, chemical, and physical parameters, to identify contamination drivers, and to propose sustainable management solutions. Using WHO and EPA guidelines, monthly water sampling was conducted for 12 months from June 2022 to May 2023. Parameters analysed included Faecal and Total Coliforms, Nitrate, Phosphate, Total Iron, Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Turbidity, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), and Total Suspended Solids (TSS). The National Sanitation Foundation Water Quality Index (NSFWQI) was employed to classify seasonal variations in water quality. Results revealed significant seasonal trends. Microbial contamination peaked during the rainy season, with shallow well WW3 and WW5 recording faecal coliform levels of 5 CFU/100 ml and total coliforms of 18 CFU/100 ml, exceeding WHO and East African Standards. Phosphate levels in shallow well WW4 and WW5 exceeded the threshold of 2.2 mg/l, attributed to agricultural runoff. Elevated iron concentrations (1.85 mg/l) in WW4 reflected natural geological leaching. BOD and turbidity increased during wet periods due to organic pollutants and sediment influx, while physical parameters such as pH and TDS remained within permissible limits. The NSFWQI ranged from "Excellent" (18.6) in shallow well WW5 during winter to "Medium" (65.4) in shallow well WW3 during summer, highlighting contamination risks from surface runoff and poor land management. The study concludes that rainfall and proximity to pollution sources significantly impact shallow well water quality. It recommends implementing community-driven sanitation measures, protecting shallow wells, and conducting routine monitoring. These findings provide a framework for improving groundwater quality for domestic use in urbanising regions globally.
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    Spatial assessment of water quality in a hierarchically structured river system using stream order classification and multivariate statistical techniques: A case study from Tunduma, Tanzania
    (ACC Science, 2025-11-17) William, Matungwa; Katambara , Zacharia; Shegwando, Omari
    Water quality assessment is essential for understanding pollutant dynamics, supporting evidence-based watershed management, and protecting public health. While numerous studies have utilized statistical and modeling approaches, limited attention has been paid to how stream order influences water quality variability, particularly in urban catchments of sub-Saharan Africa. This study investigates spatial patterns of water quality in a hierarchically structured stream network in Tunduma, Tanzania, by integrating Strahler stream order classification with multivariate statistical techniques, based on monthly monitoring of six surface water points over 12 months (n = 72) during both wet and dry seasons to analyze physicochemical, nutrient, and microbial parameters. Hierarchical cluster analysis, combined with Pearson correlation matrices and significance testing, was employed to assess pollutant similarity and accumulation patterns across different stream orders. Results revealed that phosphate (PO4 3−) concentrations ranged from 0.42 to 1.49 mg/L and nitrate (NO3 − ) levels ranged from 4.3 to 13.2 mg/L. Strong positive correlations (r > 0.95) were observed among ion-derived parameters, such as electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, and the concentrations of calcium (Ca2+) and magnesium (Mg2+). Third-order stream segments exhibited elevated concentrations of total suspended solids (0.990), biochemical oxygen demand (0.982), and microbial indicators, with fecal coliforms of 0–5 CFU/100 mL and total coliforms of 0–18 CFU/100 mL, reflecting cumulative pollutant loading in downstream reaches. The integration of Strahler stream ordering and cluster-based analytics enabled the identification of pollution hotspots and revealed the critical role of hydrological connectivity in shaping water quality trends. This research contributes a novel spatial–statistical framework for stream-based water quality assessment in East African urban contexts, offering practical insights for catchment-scale pollution control and resource management.