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The quality and composition of borehole water in Ebonyi state, Nigeria.
Authors: Odikamnoro O.O , Omowaye O. S and Aneke G. U.
Number of views: 489
The quality and composition of borehole water in Ebonyi State Nigeria was conducted in Ebonyi State between June and August, 2011. A total of twenty borehole water samples were assessed for the presence of coliform bacteria using Most Probable Number techniques. The study revealed that E. coli, Bacillus sp and Bacillus subtilis were isolated from the water samples assessed. Bacillus subtilis was recorded highest among others from samples collected at Ogbaga road and Udensi. However, the physico-chemical study showed that the borehole water examined were salty which is contrary to the WHO 2009 standard which ought to be tasteless, water conductivity ranged between 14-16 mg/l far less than WHO 2009 standard of 250 mg/l. Water parameter such as calcium and magnesium were found to be higher (68 mg/l and 89 mg/l) instead of (60 mg/l and 80 mg/l) respectively than WHO 2009 standard. Parameter like iron, sulphate, zinc, phosphate recorded lesser value of 4.5-6.5, 0.50-0.69,2.0-4.2 mg/l other than the standard of 9.0, 400, 8.0, 60 mg/l respectively. The pH of various samples ranged from 7.0-9.0 almost equivalent to the standard 8.0. The statistical analysis done using chi-square (p<0.05) method showed that Udensi and Ogbaga road boreholes have high bacteria load with normal levels of chemical constituents when compared to others. The study and evaluation show that the quality and composition of borehole water in Ebonyi State fall below the World Health Organization Standards therefore, water treatment measures such as filtration and boiling will be appropriate before used.
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