COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF GROUNDWATER QUALITY IN ABA

This study was carried out to assess the groundwater quality of Aba with a view of determining its portability or otherwise. Water samples obtained from different locations groundwater sources were analyzed for physio-chemical and microbiological indices using standard hydrobiological protocols. Sanitary survey of the boreholes/hand-pump wells locations was also observed. The sanitary survey revealed that boreholes/hand-pump wells used in taping the groundwater resources as they were sited very close to septic tanks, solid waste dumpsites and farm lands which could contaminate/pollute the groundwater. There was a significant difference (P > 0.05) in some of the physio-chemical parameters between some areas. The mean concentration of Conductivity, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Calcium, Sulphate and Nitrate were higher in some areas than in other areas with values as follows: Conductivity (μmhos/cm) – 79.05 and 61; TDS (mg/l) – 48.42 and 36.76; Calcium (mg/l) – 4.25 and 2.85; Sulphate (mg/l) – 5.47 and 3.30; and Nitrate (mg/l) – 0.385 and 0.203. however, with the exception of the mean pH values that was slightly acidic, all other physio-chemical results were satisfactory as the mean concentrations of the parameters analyzed were within the WHO standards for good drinking water. The following bacteria Bacillus subtillis, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella aerogenes, Micrococcus letus, Pseudomonas spp and Staphylococcus albus were isolated from water samples collected in different places having a higher mean bacterial load of 8.56 × 106cfu/ml. Though no coliform bacteria were found in the water samples, the presence of Pseudomonas spp and Klebsiella aeogenes is indicator/indices of possible contamination of the groundwater resources by sewage and human waste.