Environmental Networking Platform for Children and Youth by SAMSUNG E&A
Stay connected with Eco-generation :
| Share 
| 
- Home >
- Our Actions >
- Ambassador report
6
Comments
WATER POLLUTION IN KENYA |
|---|
|
by Yvonne Wabai | 22-04-2017 02:38
|
|
INTRODUCTION
Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies. This contamination occurs when pollutants are directly or indirectly discharged into the water. Water pollution poses a serious problem to the lives of all living things, which includes humans, animals, and plants. WATER POLLUTION IN KENYA In Kenya, although there are numerous laws concerned with water pollution in place, the issue continues to be a big problem, especially in the city. Most of the city rivers are flooded with garbage, mostly plastics. The garbage sludge sits atop the rivers, giving the illusion that the river is nonexistent. This has caused several accidental drownings because people are not able to tell where the rivers are and once they step onto the sludge in places where it is not thick enough, it cracks and they fall in, not being able to come back up. The pollution in these rivers is as a result of people throwing garbage into the rivers and around the river banks. In addition to that, there are also several open sewer lines that direct their effluent into rivers. These sewer lines carry industrial as well as domestic waste. As a result, the contaminants found in the city rivers include plastics, faecal matter, detergents, disinfectants, chemical waste, insecticides and petroleum hydrocarbons, among others. Some of these contaminants also seep through the ground and contaminate the aquifers. EFFECTS OF WATER POLLUTION Some of the effects of water contamination include contaminant poisoning, morbidity and mortality. These effects have been documented in human beings, plants and animals as well. For example, because of the spillage of crude oil at sea, many aquatic animals and plants lack oxygen to breathe in the water - because crude oil prevents oxygen from dissolving into the water - and therefore end up dying. Plants that are watered by contaminated water end up becoming sick and/or mutating and the people/animals that consume these plants end up getting sick too. People can contract diseases such as hepatitis by eating animals poisoned by water contaminants. There are also diseases such as typhoid and cholera that spread as a result of contaminated water and food. HOW TO PREVENT/CONTROL WATER POLLUTION There are several ways to prevent/control water pollution. These include sewage, industrial waste water and agricultural waste water treatment. It also helps to create awareness about the problems posed by water pollution and to create environmental laws that specifically deal with water pollution. EFFORTS MADE BY KENYA TO TACKLE WATER POLLUTION As I previously stated, there are already laws concerned with water pollution in place here in Kenya. In fact, the fines for pollution are quite hefty, for both individuals and companies. Despite this, the pollution of water sources continues. Most people blame this on the ineffecient waste management system in Kenya. However, in recent months, we have seen several NGOs mobilise people to start cleaning up their surrounding, which includes water sources. These NGOs aim to teach people environmental responsibility and they include initiatives such as Clean Up Kenya. |
|
|
|
|
Previous : Water matter in Dibobli
6 Comments
thanks for sharing
Posted 06-02-2018 22:40
good report
Posted 06-02-2018 22:39
Yvonne, thank you for your report. I could well learn the situation in Kenya. It seems like however the fines are high, the pollution gets worse than before. NGOs are one of those who not only motivates citizens, but government as well. I wish Kenya??s water pollution gets better soon.
Posted 23-04-2017 15:14
Hi Yvonne, thanks for sharing great report on water pollution in Kenya!
Your article was well orgarnized and informative!
You mentioned the current water pollution status in Kenya. Regarding this, it would be helpful if you add statistics or graphs showing the current status.
Thanks for sharing again:)
Posted 22-04-2017 11:44
Your solutions are really instructive, we wil use them here in Ivory Coast. Thanks
Posted 22-04-2017 05:15
Your solutions are really instructive, we wil use them here in Ivory Coast. Thanks
Posted 22-04-2017 05:13