EVALUATION OF SELECTED WELL WATER IN ZUNGERU TOWN FOR MINERAL CONTENT

ABSTRACT This study was carried out to determine the elemental composition of selected well water samples from Zungeru Town, Niger State, Nigeria, with the aim of assessing their suitability for domestic consumption. Water samples were collected from three different locations — Tudun Wada (TW), Sabon Kasuwa (SK), and Tashan Kuka (TK) — and analyzed for magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), chloride (Cl⁻), nitrate (NO₃⁻), zinc (Zn), and iron (Fe) using standard analytical methods recommended by the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC, 2019). The results revealed that the concentrations of the elements in the samples were as follows: Mg (30.5–36.0 mg/L), Na (210.0–225.0 mg/L), K (15.0–16.0 mg/L), Ca (76.0–85.0 mg/L), Cl⁻ (200.0–210.0 mg/L), NO₃⁻ (50.0–67.0 mg/L), Zn (3.0–3.6 mg/L), and Fe (0.2–0.3 mg/L). When compared with the World Health Organization (WHO, 2022) and NAFDAC (2020) permissible limits, most parameters were within acceptable ranges except sodium (Na) and nitrate (NO₃⁻), which slightly exceeded the recommended limits in some locations. The elevated nitrate concentrations, especially in Tudun Wada and Tashan Kuka, suggest possible contamination from domestic waste, sewage infiltration, or agricultural runoff, while the high sodium levels may be attributed to geogenic mineral dissolution or anthropogenic inputs. The presence of these elements in excess may pose health risks, including hypertension and methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome). Overall, the findings indicate that well water from Zungeru Town is generally suitable for domestic use but requires proper treatment before consumption to ensure safety. Regular monitoring of groundwater quality is strongly recommended to prevent long-term contamination and safeguard public health. Keywords: Elemental content, groundwater, Zungeru Town, well water, sodium, nitrate, WHO standard, water quality.