Evaluating the Impacts of Environmental and Anthropogenic Factors on Water Quality in the Bumbu River Watershed, Papua New Guinea

The Bumbu River Watershed is an essential source for the drinking and sanitation needs of settlement communities within Lae, Papua New Guinea. However, poor waste management practices have led to concerns over safety integrity watershed’s resources. In this study, we explored effect these factors on water quality in river its tributaries using (22 sampling stations), geospatial (degree urbanisation), community survey (sanitation hygiene practices) data. Water Quality Index (WQI) was calculated based Canadian Council Ministers Environment (CCME) template pH, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), conductivity, turbidity, alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, total hardness, mercury, manganese, iron, Escherichia coli. Using techniques, principal component analysis, forward regression found that better outcomes coincided with health conditions Crime Pollution, household outcomes. Land-use itself not significantly correlated quality, but distressingly, 19 22 samples be “poor” indicating a need regulation. methodology results presented can used inform policy decisions at provincial/national level, aid future research activities other watersheds.