4. Methods and materials

In this research, the quantitative research design was used. The research methods combined statistical analysis of retrospective (historical) data and batch analysis of water samples from the sites. Experimental analysis was performed on two batches of water samples, one in August and the other in September. Analysis was performed using the same analytical and standard methods which were used for the historical data in order to validate the historical data range that was employed in this study. The approach was flexible while mindful of the monitoring data which spanned hydrological years under a wide spectrum of hydrologic variability.

The experimental design had a random assignment where all samples from the monitoring sites had an equal chance of being assigned to a given experimental condition. Random assignment was used to ensure that experimental conditions did not differ significantly from each other.

An analytical approach was taken in order to determine the quality of water from the seven sampling points. The spatial and temporal changes were documented using tools that could aid in understanding the chemistry and the sources of the water, including geospatial mapping, and assessment of the impact of the treated effluent on the receiving water body.

