Use of Mangifera Indica Kernels in Water Treatment at Household Level: A Case of River Lugogo in Luweero District

Abstract

Chemical coagulants such as Alum and ferric salts which are widely used in water treatment are expensive and have harmful effects on the environment. This research attempted to explore the potential of Mangifera indica kernels as a natural coagulant and disinfectant at household level with efforts focused on Lugogo river which residents of Kalwanga village depend on for consumption. The parameters at the major point of water collection along Lugogo river of turbidity, TSS, color, and E.coli were found to be 19.51 ± 3.14NTU, 18.40 ± 0.54mg/L, 323.33±9.43Pt/Co, and 44CFU/100ml respectively in the wet season and 13.10 ± 1.61, 12.67 ± 1.06mg/L, 207.53 ± 8.33PtCo and 36CFU/100ml respectively in the dry season. The pulverisation and extraction of the active coagulant component of the Mangifera indica kernels involved two mango seed kernel varieties which was the Apple and Tommy with protein contents determined as 38.02% and 17.87% respectively. Apple mango kernel extract was the best performing and its coagulation efficiency was found to increase with increased coagulant concentration in a standard jar test procedure, where the coagulant removed 80.2% of initial turbidity in wet season and 84.25% initial turbidity in dry season with an optimum dosage of 90mg/l. A House Hold level treatment prototype further reduced the turbidity to 1.74NTU and E.coli to 2CFU/100ml. Therefore, the study demonstrated the ability of Mangifera indica kernels to be used as a coagulant and disinfectant at Household level.