Quality Assessment of Shallow Groundwater in Some Selected Agrarian Communities in Patigi Local Government Area, Nigeria.

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the biological, chemical and physical drinking water quality from shallow wells in agrarian communities. An insitu membrane filtration test kit was used to determine the microbiological quality of water and a photometer was used for the chemical analyses. Water samples were collected from protected shallow wells during wet and dry seasons of the year 2012 to determine the change in quality with different seasons. The results of the analysis show that Gapkan had the least value of pH of 6.7 while Lade had the highest value of 8.4. ANOVA (P<0.05) showed pH to be statistically higher during the wet season than in the dry season. The conductivity during the wet season was observed to range between 1210 µS/cm and 1678 µS/cm for Kpada and Gakpan communities respectively. Turbidity values during the wet season ranged between 4 and 7 NTU while dry season analysis ranged between 2 and 3 NTU. Sulphate concentration was the lowest at 431 mg/L in Fey and highest of 532 mg/L at Duro and Rifun Woro during the wet season. Chloride content within the wet season varied between 260 and 269 mg/L while that of the dry season varied between 124 and 130 mg/L. Highest and lowest concentrations of nitrate recorded during wet season was 0.42 and 0.23 mg/L for Kusogi and Fey respectively. The colour observed during the wet season ranged between 17 TCU and 19TCU while that of the dry season ranged between 10 and 13 TCU. Current status of the water in the study areas are fit as source of drinking water for the community, though plans should be put in place for mini treatment plants that can serve these communities to enhance good drinking water delivery.