Abstract :
In January - April 2018, a study was conducted to assess the efficiency of the waste stabilization ponds at
the Kabundaire Sewage Treatment Plant located in Fort Portal Municipality, Western Uganda. Physico-chemical
and microbiological parameters were measured in the influent and effluent of the lagoons using standard limnomicrobiological
procedures. At the influent site, the mean values (mgl?1) of TSS, TDS, BOD, DO, NH4 ? N,
NO3?N, TN and TP were 1097.9, 920.0, 891.4, 2.40, 150.0, 0.25, 703.2 and 24.3 respectively. The mean values of
turbidity, temperature, EC, pH and TFC were 69.6 NTU, 22.4C, 3139.6 ?Scm?1, 7.8 and 1.19×107 CFU/100 ml
respectively. At the effluent site, the mean values (mgl?1) of TSS, TDS, BOD, DO, NH4 ?N, NO3 ?N, TN and
TP were 389.0, 465.8, 120.8, 0.34, 49.9, 0.08, 48.7 and 15.4 respectively. The mean values of turbidity, temperature,
EC, pH and TFC were 12.2 NTU, 20.9C, 1364.7 ?Scm?1, 8.17 and 4.51 × 105 CFU/100 ml respectively. Most
of the parameters were above permissible limits for discharge of effluent proposed by the National Environment
Management Authority (NEMA). The poor performance of the facility was attributed to population growth and
lack of maintenance.
Keyword :
Efficiency, Fort Portal, NEMA standards, Kabundaire, Lagoons