Water quality status of a stream receiving fish pond discharge using physicochemical indicators in lake Victoria catchment, Kenya

Abstract

This study assessed the water quality of a stream receiving discharge from Tilapia and catfish fish ponds using some physicochemical parameters as key indicators. Measurements were done both in the field and in the laboratory using portable multi-parameter meter and standard methods by APHA (1998). Systematic sampling design was applied. Significant differences were noted among the parameters in the sampling sites up-stream, in the ponds and downstream. Temperature, Phosphate-Phosphorus, Total dissolved solids, Turbidity, Ammonia-Nitrogen, had higher values in the ponds and Sampling site 4 downstream (p˂0.05). Spatial variations that were within acceptable water quality standards in aquaculture, corresponding with changes caused by inflow from fish ponds, were observed.