CHARACTERIZATION OF POLLUTION HAZARDS OF SELECTED SURFACE AND GROUNDWATER SYSTEMS IN BIDA CATCHMENT AREA OF NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Water quality analysis was done for both surface and groundwater samples. For surface water, samples were taken from the upstream; middle; and downstream sections of the river Landzun. Similarly, for groundwater, samples were collected from specific locations around the Bida catchment area of Niger State, Nigeria such in a manner to allow for effective spread. Water samples for both surface and underground regimes were collected during the dry wet seasons. Laboratory analysis was used to evaluate some water quality parameters. The laboratory results were subjected to further statistical test to be able to objectively determine acceptance or rejection, in other words, critical thresholds. Based on the results, for wet season surface water, maximum values of parameters fell within the recommended limit of WHO (2004) and FAO (2000) for drinking and irrigation water quality. Total hardness (110.10mg/l) and total dissolved solids (5546.4mg/l) were higher than acceptable limit of WHO (2004) and FAO (2000) standards. Total coliform (1.00mg/l – 56.00mg/l) was also above WHO (2004) standards for drinking water quality. Similarly, maximum values of various parameters at dry season fell within the permissible limit of WHO (2004) standard. Nitrate (71.60mg/l) and magnesium hardness (64.00mg/l) were higher than WHO (2004) standard. Total coliform (3.00mg/l – 140.00mg/l) and E-coli(0 – 22.00mg/l) were also higher than the recommended limit of WHO (2004) standard. For surface water at wet season, maximum values of various parameters fell within the acceptable limit by WHO (2004) standard for drinking water quality. Total coliform (340.00mg/l – 1060.00mg/l) and E-coli (20.00mg/l – 60.00mg/l) were above recommended limit by WHO (2004) standards. However, maximum values of various parameters at dry season, fell within acceptable limit by WHO (2004) and FAO (2000) standards. Turbidity (22.60mg/l – 57.70mg/l) was higher than acceptable limit of WHO (2004) for drinking water quality. Based on the findings, groundwater at both wet and dry seasons were not suitable for domestic and agricultural purposes. Similarly, surface water at wet season was not suitable for use, but dry season surface water was suitable since turbidity has no negative impact on human health. Hence, it was recommended that adequate measures like building of water treatment plants should be ensured for sustainable quality water in the study area; the habit of waste water and solid waste carelessly exposed in the area should be discouraged through enlightenment campaign and by providing improved methods of using dustbins for collecting solid wastes and suck-away pits dug far away (at least 20m) from groundwater systems for collecting waste water.