Physico-Chemical, Microbiological and Mineral Quality of Selected Boreholes and Stream Waters in Elele Community, Rivers State, Nigeria West Africa

Abstract

The analysis of the quality of drinking water from selected boreholes in Elele Community of Rivers State was conducted. The results obtained were compared with WHO standards. The physicochemical parameters values obtained were as follows: colour (all clear), pH (4.09 – 7.04 with mean value of 5.11. which is slightly acidic), temperature (24.5 -32.0 with mean value of 29.2), total dissolved solids (5-180 mg/l with mean value of 46.6 mg/l), conductivity (8-242 μs/cm with mean value of 63μs/cm), chloride (<1.0-24.7 mg/l), total hardness (<0.2 mg/l), calcium (<0.08), magnesium (<0.05mg/l), total alkalinity (4.0 – 8.0mg/l with mean value of 5.0), sulphate (<1.0mg/l), phosphate (<0.05 mg/l), and nitrate (<0.2 – 5.92mg/l), all of which did not exceed WHO standards, except for turbidity values in STN 7and 8 (5.51 and 7.40 NTU) which were slightly above the standard. For mineral analyses, Fe was in compliance with the standards, so also was Mn, except for STN 1 and 2 (2.576 and 0.471ppm) which were slightly above the limits. For microbiological analyses, FCB and TCB were less than detection limit, while THB values (2.4 x 102 – 8.0 x 102 efu/ml) all exceeded the WHO limits for portable water, which is the major source of contamination of the water samples. However, these variations in the results were not too pronounced to cause serious health hazards, since most of the parameters analyzed met the WHO limit and others which did not meet were slightly above the limit. But, this does not rule out completely the need for appropriate treatment of these water sources for portability and safe drinking. Recommendations on the strategies to reduce/eliminate some of the pollutants in the water were made.