Quality of groundwater from five different locations in Badagry Local Government Area of Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the quality of groundwater from five different locations in Badagry Local Government Area of Lagos State, Nigeria. Fifty borehole water samples were collected and analyzed to ensure safe and continuous consumption by residents in the communities. The investigated physico-chemical parameters include: p H, alkalinity, total hardness, and anions (nitrate, sulphate and chloride). The presence of metals such as Cu, Cr, Cd and Pb, were also determined, using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The highest mean concentrations values for alkalinity, total hardness, calcium, magnesium, chloride, sulphate, nitrate, cadmium, chromium, copper, and lead were: 137.5,155.2,129.00,43.10,42.39,2.68,20.980.0167,0.0145,0.42 and 0.016 mg/L respectively. The highest pH was also observed to be 7.34. Of all the measured parameters, two of the five distinct locations did not fall within the WHO/NAFDAC permissible limits. The Results of this research activity have therefore shown that all the water samples fell within the physicochemical standard limits for drinking water, but are not recommended for drinking purposes, as they all contain one or more of the trace elements.