WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF THE PROPOSED KWADNA RESERVOIR WITHIN GIDAN KWANU MAIN CAMPUS, FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, MINNA, NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study assessed the Water Quality parameters of the Kwadna Reservoir located at Federal University of Technology, Minna guided by the following objectives: determine the variation of the physico-chemical parameter across the months, the stations and to provide baseline data of the various physical and chemical properties of water. The Physico-chemical parameters of the river were studied for twelve weeks. Water samples was taken from five (5) stations in the reservoir, biweekly for the period of study. Samples collected was taken to the department of Water Resources, Aquaculture and Fisheries Technology (WAFT) laboratory for analysis. The results of the research depict that there was no significant variation in the mean values of physico-chemical parameters observed across the Station (p>0.05), pH range from 7.05±0.03 -7.36 ±0.03, Conductivity 281.5±45.5-311.7±44.9 µS/cm, Total alkalinity 115.7±22.0 -174.0±18.9, Total hardness 48.1±9.5-57.4±11.3mg/L, Calcium 17.3±5.4-24.6±4.6mg/L, Magnesium 4.0±2.4- 8.6±2.9 mg/L, TDS 177.2±28.3-199.3±28.9mg/L,BOD 2.7±0.1-3.1±0.4mg/L, Dissolved oxygen 4.9±0.6-5.7±0.1mg/L, Carbon dioxide 1.7±0.9-3.4±2.3mg/L, BOD 2.7±0.1-3.1±0.4mg/L. Except Temperature and COD that has significant difference (p<0.05) range between 27.0±0.0- 28.5±0.50C and 18.1±2.8-104.9±45.9 mg/L respectively. For monthly variations most parameters had significant difference (p<0.05) except Temperature and BOD that has no significant difference (p>0.05). Most of the physico-chemical parameters studied were within WHO range set standard for optimal fish production and survival. The mean temperature of the Reservoir (29.46°C) is in line with FAO (2006), which states that temperature requirements of 250C–300C is optimum for fish growth. This shows that temperature in the proposed Kwadna Reservoir is suitable to support the growth of fish Therefore, constant monitoring of the reservoir should be encouraged