ASSESSMENT OF PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF POND WATER IN THE ECONOMIC STIMULUS PROGRAMME (ESP) FISH PONDS IN THARAKA-NITHI COUNTY, KENYA

Аннотация

The Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) has been implemented in Tharaka-Nithi County, Kenya, to promote fish farming and enhance economic growth in the region. However, the quality of pond water plays a crucial role in the success of fish farming. This study aims to assess the physicochemical properties of pond water in the ESP fish ponds in Tharaka-Nithi County. Parameters such as temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), electrical conductivity (EC), and total dissolved solids (TDS) were measured to evaluate the water quality. The results revealed variations in the physicochemical properties among different ESP fish ponds. The water temperature ranged from X°C to X°C, pH values varied from X to X, DO levels ranged from X mg/L to X mg/L, EC values varied from X μS/cm to X μS/cm, and TDS ranged from X mg/L to X mg/L. These findings provide valuable insights into the water quality status in the ESP fish ponds and can guide interventions to improve fish farming practices and optimize production in Tharaka-Nithi County, Kenya. KEYWORDS Economic Stimulus Programme, fish ponds, water quality, physicochemical properties, Tharaka-Nithi County, Kenya, temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids.