EVALUATION OF WATER QUALITY OF DRINKING WATER SOURCES IN EKOLI EDDA, AFIKPO NIGERIA

摘要

The physicochemical properties, selected metal contents and microbial load of five main drinking water sources in Ekoli Edda, Afikpo, Nigeria were investigated. Five liters of water sample was collected from each source on ice and transported to the laboratory for analysis. Physical examination showed that all the water samples were colourless, odourless and tasteless. The results on pH, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), total dissolves solid (TDS), dissolved oxygen (DO), phosphate (PO_4 ~(-2)), sulphate (SO_4~(-2)), carbonate (CO_3~(-2)) and nitrate (NO_3~-) showed about 90% compliance with the WHO (World Health Organization) and NNISDWQ (New Nigeria International Standard for Drinking Water Quality) standards. However, among the eight (8) metals analyzed (Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cd, Pb, Cu, Ni), the values of Cd, Pb and Ni were significantly (P<0.05) above the WHO and NNISDWQ reference levels in all the samples studied. Results on microbial loads showed the presence of gram-positive bacteria (Escherichiacoli and Enterococccus spp) with 17-32 colony forming units (CFU). There is thus the possibility of heavy metal (Cd, Pb, and Ni) and microbial contamination among the community that utilize the water for drinking and other domestic purposes over the years.