Effects of a Municipal Dumpsite on Groundwater Quality in Ikole Ekiti Area, Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

A physico-chemical and bacteriological evaluation of water in three boreholes (numbered BH1, BH2, & BH3) close to a Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) disposal site at Ootunja Ekiti in Ikole Local Government Area (L.G.A.) of Ekiti State, Nigeria were carried out in order to ascertain suitability of the groundwater for potable uses. The water quality parameters obtained were compared with recommended limits of the World Health Organization (WHO) and Nigeria Standard of Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ) for drinking water. Total dissolved solid (TDS) with a mean value of 16.64 mgl-1 was recorded. The cations and anions in the water were within the prescribed WHO and NSDWQ permissible limits. Chlorides content ranged between 12.0 and 16.0mg/l, while Nitrate content ranged from 6.12 to 7.10mg/l, quantities of heavy metals like Cadmium, Mercury and Lead varies from zero to a very minute content which is within the permissible limit of WHO and NSDWQ. Both organic content and faecal coliform count were satisfactory for water supply. The investigation shows pH values of 6.51, 7.05, and 5.79 for water samples obtained from BH1, BH2 and BH3 respectively. This indicates that the water from BH1 and BH3 were slightly acidic while water from BH 2 is neutral. The pH reading for water sample from BH3 is below the WHO and NSDWQ recommended standard.