Assessment of physicochemical quality of borehole water and iron oxidation.
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Date
2026
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Busitema University
Abstract
Access to safe drinking water remains a major challenge in many rural and urban areas of Uganda. The study assessed the physicochemical quality of borehole water and iron oxidation in Nagongera Town Council, Tororo District, Eastern Uganda. Water samples were collected from one randomly selected borehole at six different times of the day i.e. (04:00, 05:00, 06:00, 07:00, 08:00 and 09:00 AM) for three consecutive days. The parameters analysed were pH, temperature, electrical conductivity (EC) and iron concentration. Iron concentration was determined using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer at 490 nm after complexation with potassium thiocyanate. The results showed that pH values ranged from 6.8 -7.1, temperature from 21.9 °C - 24.2 °C, and electrical conductivity from 392.4 µS/cm - 436.8 µS/cm. These parameters were within the reference limits used in the study for drinking water. However, iron concentration varied significantly with time of water collection and the rate of pumping. The highest concentration was 3.350 mg/L, recorded at 04:00 am which was far above the WHO guideline value of 0.3 mg/L. Iron levels decreased progressively with continued pumping, reaching 0.180 mg/L by 09:00 am. This pattern is attributed to the accumulation of dissolved ferrous iron (Fe²⁺) under anaerobic stagnant conditions overnight, followed by flushing of stagnant water and oxidation of Fe²⁺ to insoluble ferric iron (Fe³⁺) upon exposure to oxygen during daytime pumping.
The study concludes that the borehole water was generally acceptable with respect to pH, temperature and electrical conductivity, however, early morning water contained elevated iron concentrations that may cause aesthetic problems such as metallic taste, colour and staining. It is recommended that residents allow the water to run for several minutes each morning before collection for drinking and cooking purposes, and that low-cost iron removal methods such as aeration followed by filtration be promoted. Access to safe drinking water remains a major challenge in many rural and urban areas of Uganda. The study assessed the physicochemical quality of borehole water and iron oxidation in Nagongera Town Council, Tororo District, Eastern Uganda. Water samples were collected from one randomly selected borehole at six different times of the day i.e. (04:00, 05:00, 06:00, 07:00, 08:00 and 09:00 AM) for three consecutive days. The parameters analysed were pH, temperature, electrical conductivity (EC) and iron concentration. Iron concentration was determined using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer at 490 nm after complexation with potassium thiocyanate.
The results showed that pH values ranged from 6.8 -7.1, temperature from 21.9 °C - 24.2 °C, and electrical conductivity from 392.4 µS/cm - 436.8 µS/cm. These parameters were within the reference limits used in the study for drinking water. However, iron concentration varied significantly with time of water collection and the rate of pumping. The highest concentration was 3.350 mg/L, recorded at 04:00 am which was far above the WHO guideline value of 0.3 mg/L. Iron levels decreased progressively with continued pumping, reaching 0.180 mg/L by 09:00 am. This pattern is attributed to the accumulation of dissolved ferrous iron (Fe²⁺) under anaerobic stagnant conditions overnight, followed by flushing of stagnant water and oxidation of Fe²⁺ to insoluble ferric iron (Fe³⁺) upon exposure to oxygen during daytime pumping. The study concludes that the borehole water was generally acceptable with respect to pH, temperature and electrical conductivity, however, early morning water contained elevated iron concentrations that may cause aesthetic problems such as metallic taste, colour and staining. It is recommended that residents allow the water to run for several minutes each morning before collection for drinking and cooking purposes, and that low-cost iron removal methods such as aeration followed by filtration be promoted.
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Undergraduate research report
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Citation
Kayuyu, A. (2026). Assessment of physicochemical quality of borehole water and iron oxidation. [Unpublished undergradaute research report]. Busitema University.