PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF LAKE HAWASSA FOR MULTIPLE DESIGNATED WATER USES

Abstract

Lake Hawassa is one of the Major Ethiopian Rift Valley Lakes which is situated in southern regional state, which has a closed basin system and receives water from only Tikurwuha River and runoff from the catchment. Quality of the lake water is vital for the surrounding community for proper and safe use of the lake. The present study was designed to examine the physicochemical and biological water quality suitability for multiple purposes and to determine trophic state index of the lake for a period of three months from December to February, 2011/12. Water samples were collected from the lake on monthly basis and analyzed for all water quality parameters by using standard methods. Data analysis was performed by descriptive, multivariate analysis (MANOVA%