Effects of Hydrochemistry of Urban Runoff in Surface Water Quality in Enugu Urban Area, Enugu State, South-East Nigeria.

Abstract

Bacterial contamination of water and its associated human health problems are of concern to most people because surface water diseases have troubled human populations for centuries. The aim of this research is to determine the effects of hydrochemistry of urban runoff on surface water quality in Enugu urban area. The water samples were collected from six major rivers in the study area (Ekulu, Asata, Aria, Idaw, Ayo and Ogbete river) with 13 stations of runoff measurement in Enugu urban area. Physico-chemical data was collected by dividing the basin into 13 sub-catchments areas and these were confined mainly within the existing layout. The water samples collected from various strategic points from the study area were analyzed through laboratory tests. The first layer consists of Physical, chemical, and microbiological parameter. These were summarized and imported for statistical analysis and data processing. The result shows that rivers in the study area were highly polluted. The average quantity of Faecal Coliform in Enugu urban River was 17066.67cfu, and average Total Coliform pollution 25400 cfu. These changes were as a result of human and animal excreta flushed into surface water via runoff. The study noted that the physical, chemical and microbiological parameter of the basin, as well as geographical dispositions, combined with anthropogenic factors, are strong causative factors of runoff which causes pollution in surface water quality in the study area. Physio-chemical characteristic shows the hydrochemistry properties of runoff and the extent of pollution in surface water in the study area. The work recommends that there should be effective enforcement of legislation and improve in construction of modernize drainage channel which will collect discharge instead of channelling waste to rivers.