Abstract
Mamu basin is a major tributary of Anambra drainage basin and a reservoir for wastewater from agricultural and runoff processes within the basin. Water quality of the Mamu basin was evaluated to determine its suitability for potable water and agrarian uses. This study utilized 24 water samples collected during the rainy and dry season from the upstream and downstream segments of the sub basins within River Mamu. Hdyro-geochemical analytical results were employed in the evaluation of several water quality criteria such as QWI, SAR, TH, SSP, MAR, PI, KR, Na% and %E of the water from the basin. The results suggested that the surface water is unfit for ingestion when compared with the WHO and Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) standards. However, the QWI result showed that 66.7% of the water samples are good for consumption in the rainy season, while 75% of the samples are classified unfit for drinking in the dry season. Parameters such as Fe2+, Mn2+, TDS, temperature and total coliform (p < 0.001) exhibited temporal variation unlike pH, EC, Ce, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl−, K + , NO3, PO43−, Na+, HCO3−, Zn2+, TSS, SO4, DO, BOD and turbidity which showed no response to season. Based on the results of SAR, TH, SSP, PI, KR, Na% and US salinity plots, the surface water is suitable for irrigation. Conversely, the MAR and %E results pointed out that water treatment is vital before use. The basin water is associated with permanent hardness due to CaCl2 coupled with the dominance of Mg2+ and SO42−. Gibbs plots and Stiff diagram showed that geology and dissolution process have an influence on the water chemistry via weathering and rock–mineral interactions, while chemical ratios and correlation coefficients (R2) point on anthropogenic activities.
Highlights
Background of studyFreshwater is a limited resource
The suitability of surface waters from Mamu River basin, southeastern Nigeria, for both domestic and agrarian purposes was the bane of this study
Water quality index result revealed that 66.7% of the water samples are fit for drinking in the rainy season but decline to merely 25% fit for consumption in the dry season
Summary
Compromise in quality of water emanates from discharge of effluent, nature of host rock, agricultural practices, dumping of wastes indiscriminately, etc. (Nzeadibe and Ajaero 2011; Okogbue et al 2012; Dinka et al 2015). There is no need gainsaying that monitoring the quality of waters in the drainage basin should not be given premium position. Such actions and activities have inadvertently increased the problems of freshwater supply which if unchecked will result in server scarcity and overexploitation (Okogbue et al 2012).
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