Physicochemical Studies of Public Hand-Pump Borehole Water in Onueke, Ezza Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Physicochemical studies were carried out on fifteen public hand–pump borehole water in Onueke, Ezza South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria during the dry and rainy seasons to determine their suitability for drinking using standard physicochemical techniques. The physical characteristics measured were temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, borehole depth, total suspended solids, total dissolved solids and total solids while the chemical characteristics studied were total alkalinity, total hardness, total chlorides, calcium hardness, magnesium hardness, sulphates and nitrates. The heavy metals determined were lead, copper, iron and zinc. The results showed that the water samples complied with theWorld Health Organization Standard for potable water in terms of the physical and chemical characteristics except the pH and total hardness of some of them which were above the permissible limits. In addition, the values for lead during both seasons were above the limit recommendedby regulatory bodies. Correlation analysis showed that the temperature, total chlorides and nitrates were significant (P<0.05) indicating that the parameters were affected by seasonal variation. There is the urgent need to treat the affected water from the boreholes to avert any health hazard that might arise from their consumption. Sand filtration, addition of lime as well as periodic physicochemical analysis of the water from such boreholes is recommended.