Spatiotemporal Variability of the Effects of Leachates on Shallow Wells Water in Kano Metropolis

Abstract

Improper solid waste management in Kano Metropolis, Nigeria has become a serious threat to human health and ground water quality. Groundwater monitoring should be conducted to assess the groundwater contamination, especially originated from leachate generated from the dumpsites. Most of the dumpsites are located nearby water body that subsequently affecting the quality of the water for human purposes. This study aims to investigate the relationships between different physical-chemical and biological parameters during the two seasons (dry and wet seasons) in Kano Metropolis area as well as to identify the sources of variation during the two seasons. The level of some physical-chemical and biological parameters of the groundwater (wells) and dump sites were assessed (i.e. temperature, pH, conductivity, suspended solids, turbidity, hardness colour, e-coli and coliform). Mean concentration of some physical-chemical and biological parameters except that of temperature, colour, pH and total dissolved solids were found to be above the acceptable limit of the National and International standard of drinking water quality, NESREA and WHO. The sources and variations of the samples results were tested using statistical analysis. The water samples show a considerable level of pollution. The analysis of the groundwater and that of dump sites reveals no significant difference in the parameters measured. It is therefore recommended that the water from this source should be monitored and treated properly before consumption.