The Effects of Socio-Economic Activities on River Ethiope

Abstract

This paper is on the effects of socio-economic activities on River Ethiope. The paper focused on how socio-economic activities affect Ethiope River quality and its usability, with a view to proffering solutions to the effects of socio-economic on the river. To achieve this, 200 questionnaires were randomly administered on respondents in the area. To ascertain if there was a difference in the sources of pollution both in the urban and in the rural area along the river channel, the paired ‘t’ test was used. The results however reveals, socio-economic activities (cassava processing, cloth washing, discharge of sewage waste by the various resort centres on the river, etc) significantly affect the river quality; while the paired ‘t’ test result showed that the sources of the river pollution does not vary both in the urban and in the rural area (table value 1.943>calculated value 1.596). It was however, recommended that; public awareness on the effects of polluted water should be carried out by both the government and NGO’s; alternative sources of water be developed in the area for agricultural and industrial uses; the activities of the various resort centres and people living in the area should be monitored by the ministry of health so as to punish offenders.