Environmental Impact Assessment of Modjo River Pollution Using Geospatial Technologies: The Case of Modjo Watershed, East Shewa Zone, Oromiya National Regional State, Central Ethiopia

Abstract

Rivers have been highly interlinked with economic growth and human welfare in the history of humankind civilization. In Ethiopia, most of industries were established nearer to surface water such as river and lakes. Likewise, Modjo River hosts various manufacturing industries that were established within its catchment area and now Modjo River is becoming dead water. The objectives of the study were to assess the Environmental impact of Modjo River pollution using geospatial technologies. Data for this study were collected from both biophysical and environmental data sources. Thus data generated from water sample, satellite image, GPS point, questionnaire, and interview. Quantitative socio economic data as part of household survey and interview with elders, experts, local administrator and focal persons were analyzed as well as qualitatively water sample data collected from sampled point, satellite image, GPS point were analyzed. The result of the study show that the extent of parameters such as BOD, COD, DO, Ph, EC, Pb Cr, Cd, turbidity were found in all observed point beyond the permissible limit set by EEPA and WHO further more BOD,COD,EC, turbidity were found in large concentration and DO found in zero. In spite of this the study shows that the environment, people and their livestock are susceptible to health implication and exposed to high socio economic and environmental crisis. Finally recommend that authorities have to be ensuring that all industries adopt efficient technology for waste water treatment and treat effectively Modjo River water by deposit lubricants at both site and using other methods to avoid contaminants from water in order to minimize the effect of Modjo river pollution into water resource, communities’ livelihood and Environments.