Empirical Comparative Analyses of Drinking Water Sources in Usen Community, Ovia South-West, Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Empirical comparative analyses of the qualities of drinking water from some sources have been carried out for Usen community in Ovia South- West of Edo State, Nigeria. We employed physiochemical and microbiological analytical techniques. Water samples from 2 (two) boreholes, 1 (one) hand dug well, 1(one) river and potable sachet water were collected for Laboratory analysis. The parameters obtained were compared with the Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ) and the World Health Organization - European (WHO) standards for compliance evaluation. To examine the differences in impurities concentrations in the various samples, we used the AAS Model-Solaar 969AA Unicam Series, and the Spectronic 200+ Spectrophotometer; Conductivity, pH and TDS meters appropriate for these analyses. Laboratory analysed parameters are in the following ranges herein include pH (6.0 – 6.7), DO (5.8 – 6.7mg/l), BOD5 (0.9 – 5.8mg/l) , salinity (0.029 – 0.148g/l), Nitrates (0.17 – 1.32mg/l), (TDS(32.4 – 165.5mg/l), TSS (0.0 – 3.8mg/l), colour in Pt.Co. (colourless – brownish), turbidity (0NTU) , odour (odourless), HCO3 (6.1 – 48.8mg/l), Na (0.87 – 4.34mg/l), K (0.10 – 0.51mg/l), Ca (1.92 – 6.74mg/l), Mg (0.43 – 3.07mg/l), Chloride (17.7 – 53.1mg/l), Phosphorous (0.84 – 1.06mg/l), SO4(0.00 – 0.03mg/l), Fe (0.19 – 1.42mg/l), Mn (0.03 – 0.07mg/l), Cu (0.002 – 0.626mg/l) ,Zn (0.000 – 0.180mg/l), while Cr,Cd, Ni, Pb, V, and THC (oil and grease) where not detected and Total coliform count MPN/100ml is (1 -12). Results show that Chloride and Total coliform concentrations in all samples do not conform to national and international standards, while Fe ions does not conform in all samples except PBH sample. PBH is the only sample having colour nonconforming characteristic. Research outcomes are in conformity with earlier findings in recent work in parts of Edo State. We therefore suggest a further investigation to be done to enable appropriate action be taken by relevant authorities towards provision safe drinking water.