PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND WATER QUALITY INDEX EVALUATION OF BOREHOLES WATER QUALITY IN IMIRINGI, ELEBELE AND EMEYAL II COMMUNITIES IN OGBIA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF BAYELSA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Water for human consumption is required to be of high standard because of the negative of effects of contaminated water on human health. This is why regular water quality monitoring is a key component of water quality management. This study evaluated quality of selected bore holes water in Imiringi, Elebele and Emeyal II communities in Emeyal clan in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa. Fifteen physicochemical water quality parameters and six heavy metals concentration in the bore holes water samples were analyzed following WHO guideline. The results indicate that EC measurements in all the sampled locations range between 67.9μscm-1 and 131.5μscm-1.TDS range between 40.74mg/l and 80.76 mg/l. TSS range between 0.04 and 0.30mg/l. pH range 6.52 and 6.84. TA range between 20.81mg/l and 36.08mg/l. Cl range between 73.52mg/l and 120.33mg/l. Fluoride range between 0.03mg/l and 0.17mg/l. NO3 range between7.98mg/l and 17.75mg/l. SO4 range between 87.68mg/l and 128.13mg/l. PO4 range0.013mg/l and 0.074mg/l. DO range between 2.0mg/l and 4.2mg/l. COD range between 111.7mg/l and 127.2mg/l. BOD range between 0.80mg/l and 1.68mg/l. Ca ranges between 3.14mg/l and 17.28mg/l. Mg range 2.13mg/l and 5.31mg/l. The results also show that Fe concentration range between 1.356mg/l and 3.120mg/l. Mn range between 0.125mg/l and 1.032mg/l. Cd concentration range between 0.002mg/l and 0.008mg/l. Cr concentration range between 1.043mg/l and 2.458mg/l. Cu range between 1.463mg/l and 4.130mg/l. Pb range between 0.017mg/l and 0.325mg/. Water quality index (WQI) evaluation based on the physicochemical properties showed that the sampled bore holes water are of excellent quality for drinking. However, Heavy metal Polluting index (HPI) values in all sampling points are higher than the critical value (>100) hence the water are not suitable for human consumption. It is recommended that government should provide pipe born water in Yenagoa metropolis and environs and neighbourhood water schemes in the rural area in order to protect public health.