Effects of Solid Waste on the Surface Water Quality of Usuma River, Phase IV, Kubwa – Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

This study has investigated the Effects of Solid Waste on the Surface Water Quality of Usuma River, Phase IV, Kubwa – Abuja. Indiscriminate dump of Municipal Solid Waste generated by households, Phase IV mini market and wastes from parks and hotels around the study area is the major source of pollution of the river. Large tons of wastes dumped at the river bank has often rendered these natural resources unsuitable for both primary and/or secondary usage. Increased agricultural and domestic activities have led to pollution stress on the surface water of this river. This study assessed the impacts of waste disposal on the River Usuma in Phase IV Kubwa, assess the variation in the physio-chemical and biological properties and compare the water quality with WHO standards. Field methods included consultation with Health and Water Quality Expert, collection of water samples at varying distance, laboratory analysis of water samples using standard techniques. The analysis revealed the presence of nitrite (0.2mg/L), magnesium (0.2mg/L), fluoride (1.0mg/L), manganese (0.2mg/L) and cadmium (0.003mg/L) in higher concentration which is above the WHO benchmark (7.1mg/L, 0.28mg/L, 1.04mg/L, 0.61mg/L and 0.013mg/L). The presence of these physio-chemical components are indications that the surface water of the study area is likely to be responsible for diseases such as typhoid fever, diarhorea and cholera if it is used for the purpose of drinking. The study also revealed a high Alkalinity with slight changes in turbidity. The contamination varies from one point of the river to another, indicating that the water is unfit for human consumption as a result of the pollution. Accordingly, consultation made with the Health and Water Quality Expert expressed the health implications associated with consumption of water from Usuma River in Phase IV, Kubwa – Abuja. The study has also made recommendations to address the problems revealed such as; improvement of sanitation of the study area, provision of adequate waste management facilities while sensitization of the people is given priority, ensuring clean water in the area and efforts to stop dumping of refuse at the river bank.