The ministry of water and environment clarified that the foul smell coming from Lake Victoria is due to a number of factors both Scientific and human practices by the communities near the lake.
The ministry notes that scientifically, the persistent rise in nutrients concentration in the bay creates a conducive environment for algal growth by providing the nutrients they need in their tissue for growth that is seen as green coloration on water by naked eye.
Upon die off, the algal releases the same nutrients the absorb into tissue back into the lake, impregnating the water with more nutrients and repeating the various cycles of new algal growth . When those algae die and decompose, they consume oxygen and release gases like ammonia and hydrogen sulphide, resulting in unpleasant odours and hypoxic conditions detrimental to aquatic life.
The ministry further states, the odour often increases whenever it’s windy and temperatures are high.
It also attributes the odours to the heavy loads of pollution from multiple sources like surface runoff heavily laden with silt , human and plastic waste from the industries and runoff from agricultural fields near the lake and this mainly caused by wetland degradation.
However, ministry has put in place measures to be taken in order to address the problem such as: Restoring segregated wetlands and maintaining 200 metres of buffer zone around the lake as stipulated in the Environment Management Act.
Solid management, waste water treatment and land and agricultural practices should be improved to limit nutrients inflows into the lake.
Adoption of cleaner production techniques by industries, enforcing environment and public health regulations by the urban authorities and increased civic education to all stakeholders on lake protection from pollution.
