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Drinking Water Quality Assessment in the Iishana, Namibia

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Abstract:

In arid and semi-arid ecological areas of Southern Africa, water resources face pressure due to low rainfall, droughts, high population growth, and inadequate infrastructure. The inhabitants of the Iishana system in Namibia depend on various traditional water sources to respond to water scarcity and droughts. With the anticipated new water infrastructural development and rehabilitation of existing ones, it is crucial to assess the quality of collected and stored water in the Iishana to manage water demand effectively. This study collected ten (10) water samples from the surface water bodies enclosed within the Iishana system for analysis during the drought period. Physico-chemical parameters such as electrical conductivity, turbidity, and dissolved oxygen content were measured on-site, while elemental and biological compositions were measured at the Namibia Water Corporation Ltd (NamWater). The test results were compared with the Namibian standard guidelines to determine compliance. To assess the water quality of the Iishana system, the cluster, correlation matrix, and factor analysis were used to examine the level of correlation among parameters using Minitab (21.2) and Grapher (20.2.321) software. The Water Quality Index (WQI) results in the 10 sampled pans range from 81.30 to 320.65, hence, classified as unsuitable for drinking. The abundance of cations is in the order: Na+> Ca2+>, Mg2+> K+ >Fe2+, whereas for anions is Cl->SO42->NO3->NO2-. The high level of Na+ and Ca2+ are due to the presence of inorganic salts of calcium and sodium compound in high quantity. The multivariate statistical analysis indicated that natural factors of soil weathering, mineral dissolution, and anthropogenic activities such as agriculture influence the sampled water in the Iishana. Therefore, the water cannot be used for human consumption without necessary treatment. This study presents the water quality and the most important pollution parameters of the water supply in the Iishana system.

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Periodical:

Engineering Headway (Volume 28)

Pages:

57-69

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4028/p-0r74cT

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Online since:

November 2025

Authors:

Junias Eino*, O. Afis Busari, Valentine Y. Katte

Keywords:

Iishana Basin, Multivariate, Namibia, Piper Diagram, Surface Water, Water Quality, Water Quality Index

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© 2025 Trans Tech Publications Ltd. All Rights Reserved

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* - Corresponding Author

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