Potability of Harvested Rainwater in Oluyole Industrial Area of Ibadan, Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

Most industries produce emissions in the generation of energy and during production, these industrial emissions is one of the leading causes of gradual or rapid change in atmospheric conditions that pose serious threat to the purity of rainwater. Rainwater is a sustainable natural resource for domestic, industrial and agricultural water supply. It is also a renewable resource whose purity in time and space is limited by climatic and environmental factors. This paper assesses the quality of rainwater harvested in Oluyole Industrial Estate, Ibadan, Nigeria, with a view to ascertain its fitness for drinking as resident rely on its supply during the raining season. Rainwater samples were collected directly from the sky and from roof catchments in three randomly selected locations within the industrial area in labeled sterile containers for three months (July-September). The samples were tested for physico-chemical and bacteriological concentrations against WHO water standard. The characterization revealed that the physical parameters were unobjectionable though samples collected from roof sources contained tiny fluffy particles. The range of pH value obtained was 6.6 + 0.5, indicating slight acidity due to oxides of nitrogen from lightning strikes, or oxides of carbon and sulphur in the air. Traces of heavy metals (Lead, Zinc) indicates slight toxicity but within the threshold. Bacteriological concentrations were above the WHO drinking water standard. The results of this study indicate that rainwater harvesting within this industrial estate require treatment for potable use.