WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF DIFFERENT DOMESTIC WATER SOURCES IN IYAMHO COMMUNITY EDO STATE

Water is a vital natural resource essential for the survival and well-being of all life on earth. However, many people in emerging nations, including Nigeria, still lack access to safe drinking water and proper sanitation, leading to high rates of waterborne diseases and mortality. This study investigates the physico-chemical and bacteriological quality of domestic water sources in Iyamho community, Edo State, Nigeria. Three water sources - Borehole Community (BHC), Sachet Water (SW), and Harvested Water (HW) - were sampled and analyzed for various water quality indicators. Parameters assessed includes pH, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), chloride, lead, nitrate, sulphate, total bacterial count, total coliforms, and Escherichia coli. The Water Quality Index (WQI) was computed using the Weighted Arithmetic Water Quality Index Method and compared against World Health Organization (WHO) and the Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ) standards. Results showed that the physio-chemical parameters of all samples largely complied with WHO and the NSDWQ guidelines except for lead, which exceeded the permissible limit in sachet (0.0165 mg/L) and harvested water (0.0308 mg/L). The WQI values for BHC, SW, and HW were 0.03, 164.79, and 307.56 respectively, indicating that while BHC is of excellent quality, SW and HW are unsuitable for drinking. Microbiological analysis revealed that BHC and SW met the WHO microbiological standard for coliforms and E. coli, but HW exceeded coliform limits, suggesting potential contamination. The presence of too numerous bacterial counts (TNTC) in sachet water also implies critical contamination risks. The study concludes that only borehole water is suitable for consumption without treatment, while sachet and harvested water require proper purification measures.