Assessment of the Effect of Sewage Disposal on the Quality of Water Obtained From Groundwater Source, Namely Boreholes in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike Metropolis

摘要

This study examined the effect of sewage disposal on the quality of water obtained fromgroundwater source, namely boreholes in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU),Umudike metropolis, with a view to determining the portability of the water. It specifically examined thebacteriological status of groundwater in MOUAU, Umudike metropolis with respect to distance from sewage(waste water) source, the physiochemical parameters of groundwater quality in MOUAU, Umudike metropoliswith respect to sewage (waste water) source, and the groundwater quality in MOUAU, Umudike metropolisbased on World Health Organization’s (WHO) permissible water quality standards. Laboratory analysis of theborehole water samples were carried out and the results of the water quality assessment showed that thetemperature in all the locations ranges between 27oC and 28.12oC and the turbidity of all the water sampleswere higher than the control and slightly above the 5NTU recommended by WHO. The pH values of theborehole water samples showed that none of the water samples from the locations is within the WHOrecommended range (6.5-8.5) despite the varying distances between boreholes and waste water tanks. It wasalso observed that the pH values increased with decrease in distance. The total dissolved solids of all thelocations analyzed were all within the acceptable range of values for both that of WHO and FAO, and had nodirect relationship with the distance of the borehole from the wastewater. The results of the sulphate showedthat there were no direct relationships between the distance of the borehole and the source of the wastewatersource. It was therefore recommended that the boreholes should not be sited anywhere 30km from thewastewater sources and that the quality of water be constantly monitored as the deterioration of water inphysical and chemical properties is often slow and not readily noticeable as the water system adapts to thechange until an apparent alteration of the water occurs. Such activities that pollute the water should be avoidedto prevent water contamination.