Abstract
This study examines the portability of rainwater in Langtang north and south LGAs of Plateau State-Nigeria using arithmetic water quality index method with 10 samples collected directly from zinc and aluminum rooftops in 10 selected communities. Twenty-six water quality parameters were analyzed in the field and laboratory. Temperature, pH, EC, TDS and turbidity were analyzed in the field using appropriate equipment as well as color, odour and taste. The most probable number was used to determine the presence of bacteria, while photometric and the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) were used to determine the concentration of the various chemical parameters (USEPA, 2012). The results revealed unobjectionable taste, color and odour, temperature (26.8-27.5), pH (6.5-7.8), Turbidity (1.8-2.7), Conductivity (20-30), TDS (10-15), Caco<sub>3</sub> (5-10), Ca (2-8), Mg (1-4), SO<sub>4</sub> (1-7), NO<sub>3</sub> (1.3-8.6), Fe (0.01-0.15), Cl (10-32), F (0.001-0.002), Cu (0.01-0.2), Zn (0-1.5), Mn (0-0.02), Cr (0-0.01), Al (0.01-0.06), and total coliform (0-4). Cadmium, Arsenic, Lead, phenols, pesticides, faecal coliform and e-coli were not detected. All parameters tested were within acceptable limits for drinking water. While aluminium catchments do not show any difference in parameter concentrations, zinc catchment revealed increase in Zn concentration with age of materials. Calculated water quality index of samples ranged from 2 to 12 with an overall value of 4.7 indicating excellent water quality for all samples. Based on these results, the paper concludes that the rainwater is of good quality suitable for drinking. However, age of catchment materials may influence rainwater quality in due course through leaching, and therefore recommended regular maintenance of catchments, observance of first flush and avoid use of old roof for RWH.
Highlights
The role play by fresh water for the existence of living organisms cannot be over emphasized
Gleick; “[1] has maintained that Safe drinking water is a human birth right”, but fresh water is increasingly being threatened as human populations grow and demand for more high quality water increases
The objective of this study is to analyze rainwater quality of the study area to determine its suitability for human consumption in line with acceptable standard
Summary
The role play by fresh water for the existence of living organisms cannot be over emphasized. Gleick; “[1] has maintained that Safe drinking water is a human birth right”, but fresh water is increasingly being threatened as human populations grow and demand for more high quality water increases. The UN observed that 2.5 billion of the world population does not have access to adequate safe drinking water [2]. The Sub-Saharan Africa according to Falkinmark accounts for 40% global population without access to safe drinking water [3]. Gongden and Lohdip noted frequent drought and changing climatic pattern have led to seasonality of stream flow, drying of dams and reduction in groundwater yield that result in occasional scarcity [4], while increasing population has exacerbated the water shortages. Most residents undertake rainwater harvesting (RWH), an ancient practice of capturing
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