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.
