Assessing impacts of industrial effluents on the water quality of wetland ecosystems :

Abstract

The study assessed the impacts of industrial effluents on water quality of wetland ecosystems, a case study: G.M Sugar Factory Njeru Municipality, Njeru division Buikwe district was assessed so that preventive measures may be taken. The streams pass through Njeru wetlands that is being degraded thus increasing the degree of pollution into Lake Victoria and Victoria Nile. This is through emissions of toxic gases in the atmosphere, discharge of industrial effluents in the nearby wetland hence affecting the provisional, supportive and regulatory functions of the wetland around the factory. This is also mostly done through too much particles of bagasse from the factory and the too much dust from the turning Lorries which transport sugar cane from the plantation fields. In depth review of literature of various scholars, environmental agencies' reports and publication as well as browsing through internet was done with aim of achieving of the objectives of the study. The literature shows that industrial effluents from the. factories affect negatively nearby by wetlands and streams if the regulatory measures are not put into consideration. The study basically dwelled both qualitative and quantitative data. Captured data was analyzed and processed in EXCELL, SPSS and STATA. It was found that there is a high degree of pollution in the streams and wetlands and recommendations on reduction of pollution in the streams were made. Sources of water pollution include effluents from G.M factory Key words: Industrialization, Wetland, Streams, Ecosystems services, Effluents, Water quality