THE EFFECT OF WET COFFEE PROCESSING ON WATER QUALITY IN STREAMS AND RIVERS OF JIMMA ZONE, SOUTHWESTERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Southwestern Ethiopia is one of the biggest coffee producing regions of the country. The
number of coffee processing stations in the region has increased in recent years due to the higher
market price for wet processed coffee. However, the risk of environmental pollution has been amplified
as a result of the increased wet coffee processing activities. This study was therefore conducted to assess
the level of pollution in the streams of the region in relation to wet coffee processing. Water quality of
the streams was monitored throughout the study period. The study revealed a high level of organic
pollution at locations below coffee effluent discharge points. PhYSicochemical characterization of water
samples indicated that the level of pollution in most of the streams requires very urgent attention.
Moreover, the richness of macro-invertebrate community composition was also considered which
confirmed existence of a similar pattern of pollution in most of the downstream locations. It is therefore
concluded that unless better ways of effluent management and factory water recirculation are strictly in
use by wet processing stations in the region, there will be serious repercussions to the environnlent
where rivers and streams become no longer safe as a source of water for household use.