PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND BACTERIOLOGICAL ANALYSES OF BOREHOLE WATERS IN ANINRI, AWGU AND OJI RIVER LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS OF ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

Physicochemical and bacteriological analyses of borehole water samples were randomly collected from ten boreholes which supply drinking water to various communities of Aninri, Awgu and Oji River Local Government Areas of Enugu, Nigeria. The boreholes were sampled in both dry and rainy seasons. The following physicochemical parameters: pH, temperature, colour, electrical conductivity, turbidity, total dissolved solids, hardness, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, alkalinity, acidity, lead, copper, cadmium and iron were determined using standard methods. E. coli count was determined by membrane lauryl sulphate broth method. Results of physicochemical tests were in compliance with WHO guideline values, except in the cases of sulphate level of 1,670 mg/L in water sample from Mpu in Aninri L.G.A., high chloride levels in samples from Ndeaboh and Mpu with values of 18,088 and 1,095 mg/L respectively. Similarly, sodium was also very high in the two boreholes, 5,625 and 8,500 mg/L. The water samples showed acid pH particularly in Oji River with values ranging from 4.30 to 6.30. Most of the water samples were soft waters, except samples from Ndeaboh, Mpu and Mgbowo with hardness values of 6,250, 6,250 and 840 mg/L respectively. Trace metal concentrations were below WHO guideline values, except samples from Mgbowo and Nnenwe with iron values of 4.54 and 3.13 mg/L. E. coli was isolated in two boreholes located in unkept surroundings in Oduma and Agbogugu with E. coli counts of 7 and 108 cfu/100 mL respectively. Generally, the borehole waters are considered safe for drinking except these ones polluted with E. coli and sodium chloride. The effects of unsafe drinking water are discussed, with recommendations to the Authorities regarding the safety measures to be applied.

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Water is one of the earth’s most precious resources. Water is often referred to as a universal solvent because it dissolves many minerals. It can exist in three states as liquid, gas (at 100 ^oC) and solid (at freezing temperature of < 4 ^oC). Water is fundamentally important to all plants, animals including man¹. Without it, there is no life. Good drinking water is not a luxury but one of the most essential amenities of life. Although water is essential for human survival, many are denied access to sufficient potable water supply and sufficient water to maintain basic hygiene. Globally, over one billion people lack access to clean safe water^2,3,4. The majority of these people are in Asia (20%) and sub-Sahara Africa (42%). Further, about 2.4 billion people lack adequate sanitation worldwide ⁵.

It is estimated that > 80% of ill health in developing countries are water and sanitation-related⁶. Thus, lack of safe drinking water supply and poor hygienic practices due to lack of water are associated with high morbidity and mortality from excreta-related diseases.

Consequently, water-borne pathogens infect around 250 million people each year resulting in 10 to 20 million deaths world-wide⁵. An estimated 80% of all child deaths under the age of five years in developing countries result from diarrhoea diseases^7,8.

Lack of safe drinking water and inadequate sanitation measures could also lead to a number of diseases such as dysentery, cholera and typhoid^9,10. Against this backdrop, the supply of safe drinking water to all has been at the front burner at the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to reduce poverty and promote sustainable development worldwide especially in developing countries. Her target for water, is to halve by 2015, the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation. However, it is envisaged that this target may not be easy in developing countries because of (a) high population growth, (b) conflict and political instability and (c) low priority given to water and sanitation programmes in developing countries.