Physicochemical Assessment of Borehole Water in a Reclaimed Section of Nekede Mechanic Village, Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The quality of borehole water in a reclaimed and about to be habited section of the Nekede mechanic village in Imo State, Nigeria, was determined. Five sampling points in this area were chosen for the study. Preliminary characterization of soil at these points using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence method identified leachable heavy metals that can contaminate groundwater. The physical and chemical properties of the borehole water samples were analyzed using standard instrumental methods. The data obtained showed that the water samples were considerably acidic with pH ranging between 5.12 and 5.58. Lead, nickel and phosphate levels in the borehole water samples from all the sampling points were above tolerable limits and ranged between 0.22–0.42 mg/L, 1.03–1.12 mg/L and 0.14–0.34 mg/L respectively. The contamination factor model showed that all the borehole water samples were highly contaminated by lead and nickel, with values ranging between 38.00–42.00 and 14.71–16.00, respectively. The calculated Water Quality Index at all the sampling points gave values between 554.31 and 935.35 and indicated that the water samples were unsuitable for drinking. Constant consumption of borehole water from this area therefore would pose serious health risks to its intending and existing occupants.