Water Quality Management in Lake Kivu Basin, DR Congo

Water quality management in the world is an issue of very high significance. Indeed, it has got socio-cultural, economic and ecological values. Water in DR Congo does not spare this reality. This book tackles the major pollution inflow routes and to assess suitability of water for domestic, industrial, recreational and other uses in the lake littoral zones of Lake Kivu basin especially in Bukavu sub-basin. The analysis of data collected from rivers (Kahuwa, Wesha and Tshula) and canals (from the brewery and pharmaceutical factory) flowing into Lake Kivu, and in the littoral lake zones revealed that these ones were polluted, but the highest concentration was obtained in River Kahuwa. This one has been identified as the principal source of the pollution load into Lake Kivu in Bukavu sub-basin. Environmentalists and ecologists should be aware of the fact that most of nutrients in Bukavu sub-basin are attributed to wastewater discharges from industries, market and domestic wastes, runoff from city and anthropogenic activities. To fight this, we need to educate different stakeholders so as to reduce the incoming nutrients, prevent and monitor future degradation of the Lake Kivu.