Preliminary Assessment of Physicochemical Properties of Borehole Water in the vicinity of Public Health Facilities in Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Water samples were collected from boreholes in the vicinity of public health facilities in Nasarawa State, Nigeria, for the evaluation of physicochemical parameters, using standard methods. Water pH from Keana was acidic (6.01 - 6.91), except at Chiata (9.34). pH values at Kuru (10.15) in Toto, Zalli (10.61) in Wamba, MCWC Obi (10.03) at Obi and Jangwa (10.31) in Awe were above the World Health Organization (WHO) permissible limits, so also nitrate contents in Ayele (11.04 mg/l) at Nasarawa, Chiji (12.14 mg/l) in Toto, Karmo (12.14 mg/l) in Toto, Main Market (12.02 mg/l) at Keffi, Sabo Gari (12.04 mg/l) at Keffi, Angiri (12.06 mg/l) in Lafia, Ugah (13.02 mg/l) in Lafia, and Agwa Sule (13.05 mg/l) in Obi. The highest and the lowest conductivity (EC) values were recorded in borehole water from Nasarawa and Kokona respectively, while the highest phosphate content was recorded at Agyemo in Doma. The hardness level of water was highest at Karu and lowest in Doma, while alkalinity at Toto was highest, and lowest in Keffi. TDS, EC, alkalinity and total hardness levels were within the acceptable WHO and Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) standards for ground water, which suggested that water from the boreholes were safe.