Thesis-2012-MhlangaMdluli.pdf (13.93 MB)
Anthropogenic pollution of the Lusushwana River at Matsapha, and prospects for its control: Kingdom of Swaziland (eSwatini)
thesis
posted on 2012-01-31, 11:48 authored by Phindile MhlangaThe Lusushwana River, which is within the Maputo River Basin, forms the western boundary
of Matsapha, the most industrialized town in Swaziland. Current findings suggest that the
Lusushwana River is polluted by industries within the town. What is not clear is the
establishment of an association between the industries and the river quality, the extent of
pollution in the river, and whether the river can meet national water quality objectives. Further,
literature implies that the pollution causes impacts on the riverine ecosystem, health and
livelihoods of the riparian communities; and that environmental monitoring, application and
enforcement of legislation are weak. There is therefore a need for a detailed investigation on
the pollution of the Lusushwana River to establish whether there is an association between the
industries and the river quality; and the health and livelihoods impacts on the riparian
communities and riverine ecosystem, with a view to recommending intervention measures to
minimize the pollution taking into account social, technical, environmental, financial and
institutional factors.
The research was carried out at Matsapha, Swaziland. A mixed research methodology was
adopted, which enabled the researcher to employ multiple data collection methods, which in
turn provided the opportunity for data triangulation and as such enhanced the study‘s rigour,
validity and reliability. The research took a deductive approach, and entailed a longitudinal
experimental and cross-sectional survey design. Non-probability sampling methods in the form
of snowball and purposive sampling were used to select an appropriate and representative
sample that can be generalized. Data were collected using technical experiments, biotic index,
semi-structured open ended questionnaires, interviews, and field observations. The
questionnaires were self administered to 121 riparian communities‘ households, 3
environmental monitoring agencies and 26 proprietors of companies at Matsapha.
Additionally, 15 key informants were interviewed. Water and wastewater samples were taken
along the Lusushwana River, and at the wastewater treatment plant and industries.
Statistical analysis of the data using PASW Statistics and Microsoft Excel led to the various
findings from the research. The findings confirm the claim from literature that the
anthropogenic activities at Matsapha pollute the Lusushwana River. The evaluation of the
Lusushwana River showed microbiological, physical, organic and inorganic pollution to be
most acute; but concentrations of heavy metals such as cadmium were low. The biotic index
showed the absence of macro-invertebrate species (e.g. damselflies) that are highly sensitive
to oxygen-depletion pollution. The riparian communities suffer human health impacts,
especially diarrhoea and skin problems, and are restricted in meeting their domestic and
livelihood water needs by the quality of the Lusushwana River.
This study has led to the conclusion that the Lusushwana River is polluted by the
anthropogenic companies in the Matsapha industrial estate, but has revealed that there is also
pollution upstream of Matsapha. The companies at Matsapha have environmental
management procedures that are insufficient or ineffective; environmental awareness,
education, monitoring and legislation enforcement is lacking, the riparian communities suffer
health and livelihood impacts, and their complaints are not effectively addressed. Therefore
the study recommends that effective monitoring, legislation enforcement, and collaboration of
all stakeholders should be used to achieve effective wastewater management and to minimize
pollution of the Lusushwana River and the associated impacts.
The empirical findings of the study regarding the pollution of the Lusushwana River and its
impacts on the riparian communities, as well as the need for effective monitoring, enforcement
of legislation and collaboration of the stakeholders contribute to professional knowledge,
academic research, policy and practice. Potential areas recommended for further research
include studies on assessment of companies that need pre-treatment in order to minimize
environmentally significant discharges into the Lusushwana River; and on how much pollution
the river can receive and still meet national water quality objectives.
History
School
- Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering
Publisher
© P.P. Mhlanga-MdluliPublication date
2012Notes
A Doctoral Thesis. Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of Doctor of Philosophy of Loughborough University.EThOS Persistent ID
uk.bl.ethos.574203Language
- en