Influence of Human Activities on the Water Quality of Ogun River in Nigeria

Abstract

The quality of Ogun River in south-west, Nigeria was investigated by a field survey; covering the dry season and rainy season. Water samples were collected from seven sites (including an Abattoir, a market, residential community and a brewery); analysis of the physico-chemical parameters using standard methods and their environmental effects on the river were investigated. Generally, the value/degree of dissolved oxygen, phosphate, BOD, COD, pH, temperature, hardness from the sites during the rainy and dry seasons were compared with the World Health Organization (WHO) standards for domestic and commercial water. The traces of some hazardous physical and chemical impurities in the river were above the acceptable limits; and thereby pose a health risk to several rural communities who rely heavily on the river primarily as their source of domestic water. The study revealed a need for continuous pollution monitoring and management program of surface water in Nigeria.

Keywords: surface water, water quality, water pollution, field survey, physico-chemical analysis