Analytical Studies on Surface and Groundwater in Zungeru, Niger State, North-central Nigeria

Abstract

The physical, chemical and bacteriological characteristics of water in an area is a function of the geogenic and anthropogenic activities domiciled in the area and this in turn determines its suitability for either domestic, industrial or agricultural application. The quality of surface and groundwater from Zungeru area of Niger State, north-central Nigeria was investigated in this study from the point view of suitability for drinking and domestic purposes. A total of 10 surface water and 25 hand-dug wells were used assess the water quality in the area. Physical parameters were determined in the field before sampling while chemical and microbial parameters were determined in laboratory. The results of the analyses revealed that the water in the area is good from physical and chemical standpoint and very poor bacteriologically, due to high concentration of total coliform (38.0-800 cfu/100ml), faecal coliform (0.0-160.0 cfu/100ml) and faecal streptococci (0.0-180.0 cfu/100ml), an indication of faecal contamination of the water sources in the area. The high content of faecal bacteria in the water from the area may responsible for observed wide variation in the concentration of total hardness (19.2-1480.0 mg/l), total dissolved solids (35.05-2800.4 mg/l) and electrical conductivity (52.03-4170.55 mg/l). Boiling of water before consumption is advocated. Sensitization campaign on the implication of water pollution should be carried out in the area to enable the people to be aware of some of their actions.