The Effects of Urban and Peri Urban Livestock Production on Groundwater Quality in Potiskum, Yobe State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study looked at the effects of solid waste dumpsites on groundwater quality of Potiskum yobe State, Nigeria. Water samples were collected from twenty-five (25) different hand dug wells and boreholes in strategic areas that have major dumpsites in Potiskum town. Soil sample as well were also collected from dumpsite close to each water points during rainy season. Coordinates of both water points and dumpsites were taken using handheld GPS to determine their respective location and the distances between each were measured in meters. Physico-chemical properties of water samples were tested in laboratory, while heavy metal properties were also tested for soils in the dumpsite and water as well. The pollutants assessed include, Biological Oxygen Demand, (BOD) Total Dissolved Solid, (TDS), Chemical Oxygen Demand, (COD) Chloride, Total Hardness, Colour, pH, Magnesium, Zinc, Iron, Chromium and Lead. Descriptive research design method was used for the study. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistical tools such as percentage computation, frequency distribution table. From the findings of the research it was discovered that many wells and boreholes in the study area that are located close to the dumpsites (<50 meters) have levels of high concentration of pollutants of both physico- chemical and heavy metals. This mean that all water points close to dumpsites are highly polluted compared to wells and boreholes far from dumpsites > 50m.  From the laboratory analysis conducted it was discovered that TDS has the highest physico-chemical concentration of 230.00 less than the world standard concentration, while COD and BOD were not detected in the water sample. Nitrite had the highest heavy metal concentration of 33.00, magnesium with 0.980, Iron with 4.900, Cadmium with 0.84, Lead 2.20 are all above the water drinking standard of WHO.