The Assessment of Physiochemical and Biological Quality of Borehole Water Used in Port Harcourt Oil Refinery Host Communities

Abstract

The research was carried out assessment of physiochemical and biological quality of borehole water used in port Harcourt oil refinery host communities. The study assessed the level of contamination and of physical and biological quality of the groundwater of randomly selected boreholes. Water quality analysis was performed on samples collected from twelve (12) boreholes within six selected host communities of Port Harcourt Refinery in Rivers State for the following physicochemical parameters: Temperature, pH, turbidity, alkalinity, and total dissolved solid (TDS) using conventional equipment and standard laboratory procedures, also the bacterial analysis were carried out and characterized using standard methods. The results showed that physical parameters such as pH, temperature and turbidity in some communities did not show any reason for concern. The physical parameters measured are within the World Health Organisation (WHO) and National Standard for Drinking water Quality (NSDWQ) standard. Also when the biological qualities was also determined, the results showed that. E. Coli was not detected in any of the water samples. Total coliform count and Fecal coliform count were detected in high rate in Abam, Darka - ana and some parts of Ogan community as it ranges from 0.000-7.000mg/l and 0.000-1150mg/l. Intervention of Government and Non- governmental Organisation is highly recommended.