Determination of the effects of agricultural activities on water quality of mindu reservoir at Morogoro

The research was conducted to determine the effects of agricultural activities on water quality of Mindu reservoir at Morogoro municipality, which experiences recurrent water shortages and problems of water quality like other towns in Tanzania. The problems facing the impoundment are pollution from both point and non-point sources. Water quality of Mindu reservoir is being affected by nutrients enrichments (N-Nitrates and P-Phosphate were 6.49mg/l and 0.03mg/l respectively) and heavy siltation (this is shown by decrease in depth from 1 lm to 8m nowadays) due to poor agricultural activities are done very close to the reservoir (i.e. less than 500m). The research was comprised of literature review and field research, which was involving Laboratory analysis of samples and physical observations. The results of study showed that nutrients available in the soils of the different visited fields along the reservoir was significantly (P<0.05) increased with increasing rate of fertilizers application on the farm. Most of fields were less than 500meters from the reservoir and the riverbanks. This had two main effects, first it caused severe land degradation and second it led to sediments and excess nutrients remained (i.e 1.75kgN/ha and 1.28kgP/ha) in the soil to entry into the reservoir. Concluded that agricultural activities had very negative effects on the water quality of the reservoir due to poor farming practices done by people around the reservoir. In order to improve water quality of this vital resource should be training farmers on timing and application rate of agro-chemicals especially those who are responsible for the dam catchment’s land use and should have stakeholder’s participation at all level such as local and Government departments responsible for this vital resource.