Abstract
Due to increasing population and industrialization in urban areas, the environment has become so vulnerable as a result of unhygienic practise by the populace (particularly in developing country). Thus, making groundwater to be more vulnerable to pollutants from the environment. In this study, groundwater samples were collected from twelve different boreholes (six domestic boreholes and six bakery boreholes) in Ovia North-East Local Government Areas and assessed for their suitability in domestic and industrial purposes. These samples were collected between September and October, 2019 (peak of rainy season). The samples were analysed for fourteen physiochemical parameters, namely: pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Turbidity, Bicarbonate (HCO3-), Chloride (Cl), Ammonium Nitrogen (NH4N), Total Hardness (TH), Temperature, Odour, Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn), Lead (Pb) and Cadmium (Cd). All the laboratory analyses were conducted in accordance with the techniques described by American Public Health. Statistical analyses such as correlation matrix (Pearson’s Correlation) and water quality index (WQI) were used in this study. Results of physiochemical analysis revealed that of all the parameters examined, pH, Pb and Cd were not within acceptable limits. The correlation matrix indicated that TDS shows a highly positive correlation (0.99) between EC and NH4N respectively and also Temperature shows a highly negative correlation (0.80) between EC, TDS and NH4N respectively. The WQI indicated that the groundwater samples ranged from excellent to good indicating that the water is fit for drinking, domestic and industrial purpose. The physiochemical and correlation analyses revealed that the quality of groundwater in Ovia- North East LGA has slightly deteriorated and might be prone to contamination (by anthropogenic activities). Hence, it is recommended that there should be regular monitoring of the groundwater quality so as to sustain and improve the water quality and that the water should be treated before use.
Highlights
Developing countries are faced with the problem of accessing portable water and this is attributed to the fact that they get their water from poor sources
Lower values of pH might be attributed to anthropogenic activities within the study area and these values might be responsible for the increased heavy metals (Pb and Cd) in the groundwater, as too high or low pH is known to affect the solubility and toxicity of heavy metals
The positive correlations existing between parameters implies that they might be of the same source and that they increase and decrease together (Izeze and Adipere, 2018), this might help to trace the source of the slight amount of these parameters present in the water
Summary
Developing countries ( in Sub-Sahara Region) are faced with the problem of accessing portable water and this is attributed to the fact that they get their water from poor sources. Groundwater has become a vital renewable resource that needs to be monitored and protected (Usman et al, 2014). Groundwater is the water found underground in the cracks and spaces in the soil, sand and rock. It is stored in and moves slowly through geologic formations of soil, sand and rocks called aquifers (NGWA, 2019). Groundwater supplies are replenished, or recharged, by rain and snow melt that seeps down into the cracks and crevices beneath the land's surface (Mukherji, 2006). Groundwater serve various purposes including public and domestic water supply system, irrigation and livestock watering, industrial, commercial and mining purposes (USEPA, 2002, Usman et al, 2014). Its quality cannot be restored by controlling or stopping the contaminant
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