Three Quaternary Catchments in Vhembe District Municipality: A GIS Approach

Abstract

This study investigates microbiological water safety risks in three quaternary catchments within the Vhembe District Municipality (VDM) using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The aim is to assess the abundance and distribution of faecal indicator bacteria (FIB) in surface and groundwater sources across wet and dry seasons and to examine the impact of land use on FIB levels. Using GIS, we analyzed FIB concentrations in rivers and boreholes. The study found higher FIB levels during the wet season due to increased runoff. Significant contamination was observed in the Mutshindudi and Luvuvhu rivers, and in groundwater sources, notably in A91E, A91F, and A91G boreholes. Land use significantly influenced groundwater contamination, with bare soils, cultivated lands, and vegetation showing higher FIB levels. Furthermore, there were no significant differences (P = 0.05) in FIB levels between water treatment plants and households (e.g., faecal coliforms: Z = -1.342, p = 0.180; E. coli: Z = -0.535, p = 0.593). One-Way ANOVA indicated significant differences in FIB levels across land use categories during the wet season (e.g., A91E E. coli: F (3,15) = 16.601, p < 0.001).In conclusion, GIS proves to be a vital tool in assessing and managing microbial water safety risks, offering essential insights for sustainable water management in rural areas.