IMPROVEMENT OR DEGRADATION OF WATER QUALITY? A FIELD SITE VISIT TO FOREST RESERVES NEAR KAMPALA, UGANDA, FIVE-YEARS AFTER INITIAL INVESTIGATION

Four forest reserves within 50 km of Kampala in Uganda act as a critical buffer to the Lake Victoria watershed and habitat for local populations. In 2013-2014 the forest reserves were monitored monthly for physical and chemical parameters (pH, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen on demand, nitrates, phosphates, fecal coliform, and temperature turbidity) that were used to determine a Water Quality Index value. During the time of sampling, the WQI at all four reserves ranked between poor and medium. This follow-up study occurring nearly five-years later revisited each of the sampling locations and monitored for the same parameters. It was found that the WQI for each of the forest reserves was within +/- 5% of the averages reported in 2013-2014. Notably, in areas where cattle were moved away from water sources per our recommendations (namely, Kitubulu Forest) the levels of Escherichia coli contamination improved significantly from 220 colonies/100 ml to 100 colonies/100 ml. Additionally, despite problems with forest encroachment at Zika Forest, the water quality maintained similar quality as measured in 2013-2014. Although Mabira Forest remains guarded by environmental activists groups (namely Friends of Mabira) the threat from the sugarcane industry remains a pressure; water sources adjacent to crops remain degraded. No ambient changes were noted at Mpwanga Forest.