Assessment of Water Quality In Central Highlands of Ethiopian Streams

The central highlands of Ethiopia are endowed with various streams and rivers. Recently these streams and rivers were facing a serious ecological deterioration due to practices associated with rapid population growth urbanization industrialization land use change and removal of riparian vegetation. So it is important to gather information on the extent of the degradation. Thereforethis study emphasizes on assessing the current ecological status of the streams and rivers in central highlands of Ethiopia in upper section of the Awash river using benthic macroinvertebrates in conjunction with physicochemical parameters. The ecological status of each sampling sites were classified using three African based biotic indices (SASS5 TARISS and ETHbios). Additionally the longitudinal and seasonal distribution of benthic macroinvertebrate community assemblages in relation to environmental variables and land use were clearly presented. Furthermore the result of the study provides preliminary baseline information for future management practices and can help in strengthening the implementation of biomonitoring in the central highlands of Ethiopia.