SO Ngele, E J Itumoh, NC Onwa and F Alobu
Keywords: Groundwater, quality assessment, trace metals, coliforms, physicochemical parameters
Abstract: The quality of selected groundwater (borehole) samples in Amike – Aba, were assessed for physicochemical parameters, trace metals and bacteriological tests for a period of seven weeks following standard water sampling and analysis procedures. The results of the physicochemical parameters showed the range 6.38 – 6.44 for pH, 26.20 – 26.35 for temperature, 0.20 – 0.25 mg/L O2 for BOD5, 10.87 – 12.98 ?S/cm for conductivity, 32.16 – 34.87 mg/L for total hardness and 4.00 – 6.00 TCU for colour. The result of the bacteriological analysis showed that the total heterotrophic bacteria count (THBC) of the samples ranged from 2.4 × 102 – 4.2 × 103 CFU/mL. The total coliform count also ranged from 280 – 540 MPN/100 mL. The study revealed the presence of Escherichia coli, Proteus sp., Psedomonas aeuginosa, Enterobacter aerogenes, Streptococcus faecalis and Bacillus sp. in the water samples. The results of the trace metals showed the range (in mg/L) 0.223 – 0.273 for Fe, 0.048 – 0.059 for Cr, 0.0081 – 0.099 for Pb, 0.032 – 0.040 for Cu, 0.021 – 0.024 for Mn and 0.097 – 0.143 for Mg. Compared with World Health Organization limits and Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality, the results revealed the groundwater samples are facing various hydrological stress and possible contamination which could change the quality of the groundwater in the near future
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