PHYSIO-CHEMICALS AND MINERAL ANALYSIS OF BOREHOLE WATER

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to evaluate the quality of water in selected Waters in Talata Mafara, Zamfara state. Water samples from eight Waters were subjected to physical, chemical, and bacteriological assessment using standardized procedures of conductivity, total dissolved solids, ions, acidity & alkalinity, and EC blue 100® coliform detection. About three fourth (75%) of Waters’ water samples exceeded the permissible levels of pH, total dissolved solids, turbidity, Mn and NO3 set by Saudi standards. Average levels of total dissolved solids, Fe, Mn, SO4, NO3, and NO2 were 3065.00, 0.10, 0.89, 68.25, 17.91 and 0.016 mg/L, respectively. However, the average pH of water samples was 7.95 ± 0.66 which still within the accepted range set by national and global standards. Moreover, total dissolved solids also exceeded regular standards of Food and Agriculture Organization for irrigation water quality. Coliform Mineral were detected in 37.5% of Waters without any significant spatial differences between Waters and sites as groups. Correlations were found between pH & NO3, SO4 & NO3, coliform Mineral & turbidity, coliform Mineral & NO2 levels. Increased concentrations of assessed parameters in Waters may be attributed to agricultural activities as well as animal and human wastes deposited into Waters via rainfalls and flash floods. Proper treatment of Waters needs to be taken into account before consumption and irrigation. (Zaharani et al., 2011).