Fate and Transport of Nutrients in Groundwater and Surface Water in an Urban Slum Catchment Kampala, Uganda

This study investigates the generation, transport and fate of sanitation-related nutrients in groundwater and surface water in an urban slum area in sub-Saharan Africa. In excess, nutrients can cause eutrophication of downstream water bodies. The study argues that nitrogen-containing rains and domestic wastewater from slum areas were important sources of nutrients in urban catchments. Contrary to surface water, nutrients were greatly attenuated in groundwater by the pit latrine-alluvial aquifer system implying that interventions to manage nutrients in slum areas should focus on surface water. This research is of broad interest as urbanisation in developing countries is an ongoing trend that is accompanied by lack proper sanitation systems.