Abstract
QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF HAND DUG WELLS IN ADO-EKITI TOWNSHIP OF EKITI-STATE, NIGERIA
Popoola O.O.* and Olulope O.R.
ABSTRACT
Safe and potable water is of utmost necessity. Though the earth contains about 70% of water but not all are accessible and potable. Physiochemical and Bacteriological analysis of water sample from hand dug wells located in different parts of Ado- Ekiti township of Ekiti ? State, Nigeria, were Carried out to ascertain the quality of the ground water. Water samples were collected from fifteen (15) hand dug wells in Ado local government area and investigated to determine the suitability of the water .The parameters determined included Temperature, odour, taste, turbidity, colours, Ph, total dissolved solid (TDS), total hardness, chloride calcium, nitrite, nitrate, magnesium, aluminium using conventional equipment and standard laboratory procedure. The results indicates that some of the physical and chemical parameter are within the acceptable limits of World health Organisation (WHO) and Nigeria limit standards for drinking water quality standard for consumption(NSDWQ). The pH ranged between 5.8 - 6.8, indicating toxic pollution, conductivity between 38-534us/cm, turbidity and temperature was between 4-6 NTU and 21.1- 28.7. Concentration of nitrite, nitrates and calcium ranged between 0.01-0.20mg/l, 1032mg/l and 60.5-88.4mg/l. Fluoride between 10 - 30mg/l which does not comply with the recommended standards. Alkalinity and Hardness ranged between 115.9-830mg/l and 113.7-158mg/l. Well water in some areas where moderately hard to very hard. Bacteriological examination revealed pollution in all the water samples. Total coliform ranged between 15-30Cfu/100ml with a mean value of 21.6Cfu/100ml which is an indication of faecal contamination. Thermo tolerant coliform ranged between 0 ? 1Cfu/100ml with amean value of 0.1Cfu/100ml.This microbial contamination posed a threat to well water quality and could lead to an increase of water borne disease such as urinary tract infections, meningitis, diarrhea e.t.c. However complementary treatments are recommended to enhance the quality of the hand dug well water as desirable in Ado.
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