An Evaluation of Water Quality in Hand-Dug Wells in Katcha, Niger State.
Abstract:
This study examines the water quality of hand-dug wells in the Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State, North Central Nigeria. Water samples from twenty hand-dug wells were collected during both the rainy and dry seasons. Standard methods for water quality assessment, as per the American Public Health Association (APHA, 1992) guidelines, were employed to analyze the Physico-chemical and Bacteriological parameters.
During the rainy season, the recorded values included temperature ranging from 28-29°C, pH between 6.20-7.17, electric conductivity from 323-592µs/cm, total hardness from 136-260mg/l, total alkalinity from 26-78mg/l, dissolved oxygen from 5-9mg/l, chemical oxygen demand from 12.65-17.42mg/l, biochemical oxygen demand from 2-5mg/l, phosphate from 0.46-2.04mg/l, nitrate from 3.55-6.46mg/l, sodium from 13.81-28.35mg/l, potassium from 3.22-6.72mg/l, calcium from 38.81-72.36mg/l, magnesium from 10.74-22.81mg/l, carbonate from 10.82-37.63mg/l, iron from 1.93-4.44mg/l, manganese from 0.36-2.52mg/l, copper from 0.05-0.42mg/l, lead (ND) mg/l, and zinc from 0.40-0.13mg/l.
In contrast, during the dry season, the values observed were temperature ranging from 29-30°C, pH between 6.28-7.16, electric conductivity from 66-413µs/cm, total hardness from 130-192mg/l, total alkalinity from 74-114mg/l, dissolved oxygen from 5-8mg/l, chemical oxygen demand from 5.9-7.36mg/l, biochemical oxygen demand from 2-4mg/l, phosphate from 0.12-0.23mg/l, nitrate from 0.24-2.22mg/l, sodium from 5.2-9.6mg/l, potassium from 1.7-3.5mg/l, calcium from 18.75-46.92mg/l, magnesium from 4.22-7.75mg/l, carbonate from 35.56-56.19mg/l, iron from 0.24-2.22mg/l, manganese from 0.01-1.33mg/l, copper from 0.03-0.35mg/l, lead (ND) mg/l, and zinc from 0.01-0.30mg/l.
Bacteriological parameters were also assessed, revealing that during the rainy season, Echerichia coli ranged from 9×10^6 to 15×10^6 cfu/ml, total coliform from 5-350 cfu/100ml, and total bacteria from 42×10^6 to 69×10^6 cfu/100ml. In the dry season, Echerichia coli ranged from 3×10^6 to 12×10^6 cfu/ml, total coliform from 2-300 cfu/100ml, and total bacteria from 42×10^6 to 69×10^6 cfu/100ml.
The average Water Quality Index (WQI) was calculated to be 75.22 during the rainy season and 57.83 during the dry season. These values indicate that untreated well water from rural areas in Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State is of fair quality. However, it is essential to treat this water before consumption to prevent waterborne diseases. This research underscores the need for appropriate measures by the government to safeguard the health of its citizens and provide education on water-related diseases associated with the consumption of such water.
An Evaluation of Water Quality in Hand-Dug Wells in Katcha, Niger State.