Groundwater Quality Analysis of Domestic Water Sources from Hand Dug Wells In Gwallameji, Bauchi State

Abstract

Lack of access to safe and adequate domestic water supplies contributes to poverty levels through the economic costs of poor health and the high proportion of household expenditure on safe water supplies. Gwallameji, a community on the outskirts of Bauchi town has no access to municipal water supply from Bauchi town, groundwater water, mainly hand dug wells are used as domestic water sources. The quality of water available from these hand dug wells in the community were determined by the physical, chemical and biological parameters of the water samples collected from domestic water points in the community. The results from the water samples were compared with World Health Organization (WHO) Standards for Drinking Water. High levels of Nitrate and Chromium above recommended levels from the standard were found in all water samples. Concentrations of Calcium highest value of 213mg/l and Magnesium a highest value of 22.02 mg/l at levels higher than recommended levels for drinking water were also obtained in all samples. It was recommended that restrictions on farming activities with use of fertilizers and location of latrines around domestic water sources should be enforced. Hand dug wells should be at a distance of at least 30m from soak away pits and pit latrines. Well lining and cover should be provided for all hand dug wells to reduce contamination of water from these sources. Increased and continued environmental interventions through public health education by community based health workers, awareness and sensitization campaigns should be carried out for improved household and community sanitation in the area.