Abstract:
Water plays a crucial role in the development and sustenance of all living things on the Earth.
However, such crucial natural resources have been frequently disturbed by anthropogenic
activities like agricultural practices, poor municipal waste management, and poor buffer zone
management. Thus, this study was aimed to assess the impact of anthropogenic activities on
water quality in the study area. To meet the study objectives, descriptive survey design was
adopted. So, simple random sampling produces were utilized. To supplement and bridge
household survey data, interview, field observation and water quality analysis were utilized. For
water quality laboratory analysis the researcher followed WHO guideline of (2008) surface
water analysis guideline. The finding revealed that, the main causes of pollution of Womba River
were the introduction of uncontrolled solid waste, untreated sewerage effluent or channeling of
un treated sewage into the river, release of defecation along the courses and discharge of
untreated domestic effluents into the river. The Womba River water was subjected to physical,
chemical and biological disturbance due to pollution. According to the study, the Womba river
water did not meet WHO drinking water standard as well as the surface water standard of
Ethiopia. Faucal count for water sample collected at all sampling points was serious above
467/100L and had exceeded the WHO/USEPA water quality guidelines of 0/100l and which
indicates pollution from human sources. The pollution of Womba River reduces its water quality
and has human health effects on people who consume it for various needs in the study area/
Sawla town. Continuous public education was recommended to enhance environmentalmanagement awareness to the residents of Sawla town.
