1.0 Introduction
Water is an important constituent of life. It is a colourless, tasteless liquid that forms the seas lakes, rivers and rain and is the basis of fluids of living organism. Chemical formular H20. pour or sprinkle water over (a plant or an area of ground) typically in order to encourage plant growth. Its wide distribution within food stuffs and its effect on food quality makes the study of water a significant part of food science and technology. Water is not only a solvent but is also participates in several reactions either as a reactant or as a product. At is one of the most important chemical in found and drinks.
Water is the most common liquid on our planet, vital to all life forms. It is the dispersion medium for all biochemical reactions of the living process and take part in many of these reactions. In spite of the chemical simplicity of the water molecule, its physical properties are quite remarkable one might say weird and have been a major research topic for many years many experiments give greats insight into the structure and dynamics of water, but these often require the resources of a major research laboratory. In addition some must take place under extreme condition such as those leading to super cooled water of super heated.
Water has been studied since antiquity, what is new is that computer now allow us to start molecules and form them predict the large scale properties of water, such as pressure temperature, volume, solubility of salts, and so forth. In other words computers can be used to calculate the physical quantities of water related to every day life. The computer simulation not only correctly predicts macroscopic properties in agreement with experiment, but also allows us to investigate water under severe experimental conditions that accessible only with great difficultly or not at all.
The aim and objective of the study is to know the quality characteristics of water gotten from Oguta Lake.
1.1 Standards
In the setting of standards agencies make political and technical scientific decisions about how the water will be used. in the case of natural water bodies, they also make some reasonable estimate of pristine conditions. Different uses raise different concerns and therefore different standards are considered. Natural water bodies will vary in response to environmental condition.
1.2 Environmental Scientists Works
To understand how these systems function which in turn help to identify of sources and fates of contaminates environmental lawyers and policy makes work to define legislation that ensure that water is maintained at an appropriate quality for its identified use.
1.3 The Vast Majority of Surface Water
On the planet is neither potable nor toxic. This remains true even if sea water in the oceans (which is too salty to drink) is not counted. Another general perception of water quality is that of a simple property that tells whether water is polluted or not in facts, water quality is very complex is a complex medium intrinsically tied to the ecology of the earth industrial and commercials activities (eg manufacturing mining, construction, transportation) areas major cause of water pollution as are runoff from agricultural areas urban storm water runoff and discharged of treated and untreated sewage especially in developing countries.
1.4 Categories
The parameters of water quality determined by the intended use work in the area of water quality tends to be focused on water that is treated for human consumption.
1.5 Human Consumption
Contaminants that may be untreated water include microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria in organic contaminants such as salt and metals chemical contaminates from industrial processes and petroleum use; pesticides and herbicides, and radioactive contaminants.
Water quality depends on the local geology and ecosystem, as well as human uses such as sewage dispersion industrial pollution, use of water bodies as a heat sink, and over use (which may lower the level of the water).
1.5.1 Food and Drug Agency (Fda)
Regulations establishments for contaminants in bottle water that must provide the same protection for public health. Drinking water, including bottled water may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of same contaminants.
The presence of these contaminants does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk. Some people use water purification technology to remove contaminants from the municipal water supply they get in their homes or from local pumps or bodies of water, water drawn directly from a stream, lake or aquifer and has no treatment will be of uncertain quality.
1.5.2 Industrial and Domestic Use
Dissolved minerals may affect suitability of water for the range of industrial and domestic purposes. The most familiar of these is probably the presence of ions of calcium and magnesium which interfere with the clearing action of soap and can form hard sulfate and soft carbonate deposit in water heaters or boilers.
Hard water may be softened to remove these ions. The softening process often substitutes sodium, or potassium (citation needed) cations hard water may be preferable to soft water for human. Consumption since health problem have been associated with excess sodium and with calcium and magnesium deficiencies softening may sacrifice nutrition for cleaning effectiveness.
1.5.3 Importance of Water To Plant
Water is important for plant because of the following reasons;
- Water helps in the germination of seeds
- Water helps in the process of photosynthesis by which plants prepare their food.
- Water helps in the transport of nutrient and minerals from the soil to the plants.
- Water helps in the maintenance of the plant structure by providing the appropriate pressure to the plant tissues
- Water provides habitants in the form of pounds, rivers, lakes and seas for a large number of plants.
- Water carries the dissolved sugar and other nutrients through the plant so without the proper balance of water the plant not only is malnourished, but it also physically weak and cannot support its own weight.
1.6 Importance of Water To Human
Water helps our body to absorb nutrients in the intestine and it is the base material for saliva, which plays important role in our digestive system. Water carries oxygen and nutrients to all the body cells and facilitates their effective functioning.
Water also has a role to play as disease preventive tool. It is said that drinking 8-10 glasses of water each day considerably reduces the risk of all sorts of cancer, like colon cancer, breast cancer, bladder etc. from our body by detoxification. Water also regulates the body mechanism.
Water not only serves as a lubricant in our body system but also helps to regulate the temperature of our body. It is the most important element.
1.7 Importance For Transportation
Water transport is a cheap of transportation. Capital goods, heavy machinery and bulk raw and finished goods can easily and cheaply be transported from and out of the country to the foreign countries, its importance can be judged from the following facts.
- Increase in economic activities:if country has a sufficient and sound infrastructure in the form of ports and waterways, the economic activity increase because many ship with tones of goods move in and out of harbors of the country.
- Increase in foreign exchange:Water transport increase the foreign trade, as it increase, the imports and exports of merchandise from one to the other parts of the world. International trade flourishes and trading partners and are benefit a lot.
- Increase in employment opportunities:Too many people get jobs in shipping industry, as well as in loading the goods from the ships. Thus directly and indirectly lots of jobs are created. This increase the general welfare of the people of the country.
- Increase in foreign investment:foreign countries shipping offices are opened and investment in infrastructure facilities are set up which causes an increase in the foreign investment of the country.
1.8 Effects of Water Pollution
The effect of water pollution are seen in thermal, heavy metal, agricultural region and due to fertilizers, chemicals, oil and contaminated ground water
1.9 Effect of Run Off Pollution
Rain picks up dirty and silt and caries it into the water, if the dirt and silt settle in the water body, then these sediments prevent sunlight from reaching aquatic plants. If the can't reach the plant these perish. These sediment also clog fish gills and smother organization that live on the bottom of the water body.
1.9.1 Effect of Oil Pollution and Antifreeze
If oil is spilled on the water the effect on the ecosystem and the components are harmful. Many animals can be annihilated in case they ingest oil. Oil contaminated prey may be reason of death for many, if oil coats the feather of birds these may dies .Oil and antifreeze makes the water have a foul odour and there is a sticky firm on the surface of water that kill animals . Oil is the most harmful pollution in the water.
1.9.2 Contaminated Ground Water Effects
If contaminated water enters the ground, there may be serious effect. People may become very sick and there is a probability of developing liver or kidney illness.
