Effect of waste dumpsite on the surface and groundwater supplies using water quality index in Afikpo south local government area, Ebonyi state

Abstract

The research examined the effect of waste dumpsite on the surface and groundwater supplies using water quality index (WQI) in Afikpo South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. Fifteen samples were drawn from fifteen locations. The samples were analyzed using standard methods. The results of the analyses were compared with the World Health Organization (WHO) drinking water standard. The WQI of the water samples were calculated and compared with the classification of water quality status. The results showed that the pH of the water samples ranged 4.6±0.047 – 6.70±0.090, EC 7.26±1.63 – 2450±4.32, Turbidity 0.50±0.082 – 2.00±0.094, TDS 23.10±0.047 - 1830±17.00, Alkalinity 45±0.47 - 2080±4.71, Total Hardness 4±0.47 – 170±0.94, DO 5.07±0.012 – 7.72±0.016, BOD 0.4±0.047 – 12.8±0.082, NO3 - 1.14±0.009 – 32.69±0.047 and 0.09±0.00 – 15.6±0.028. The results showed that the pH, Turbidity, Total Hardness, NO3 - were all below the WHO drinking water standard. All the locations of the water samples showed some levels of acidity. Apart from location MB that recorded high levels of TDS and Alkalinity every other location was below the WHO permissible limit of drinking water standard. The results of the analysis also revealed that the WQI value of the water was 57.92 and this was below the critical value of 100. From the findings, all the water samples need to be treated with alkali to reduce the low pH while the water samples generally need to be given comprehensive treatment before usage.