Water quality of the Luvuvhu River and its tributaries within the Thulamela Local Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract

The study was conducted during dry and wet periods at the Luvuvhu River and its tributaries within the Thumalamela Local Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa. A total of 50 samples (25 per sampling session) were collected for physicochemical analysis at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Regression, ANOVA: single factor and Pearson Correlation Coefficient analyses were applied in order to examine the influence of seasonal variation on water quality. This study found that the concentration of fluoride, pH, SO₄, and TDS are within the recommended levels for domestic water use in South Africa. However, a high concentration of total acidity was found at Dzindi, Luvuvhu and Mutshundudi rivers at an average of 2.40 mg/l ± 0.55 mg/l, 3.00 mg/l ± 1.00 mg/l and 4.40 mg/l ± 2.07 mg/l, respectively during the dry sampling period. The level of total alkalinity, and TDS were found to be high at Lukunde River.