An Assessment of the Pollution Levels of Rivers in Enugu Urban Nigeria and their Environmental Implication

Abstract

The increased scarcity of pipe-borne water supply in Enugu Urban, Nigeria has led to residents seeking alternative sources of water supply. This has resulted in households depending on surface for their consumption. It is believed that various human activities have contaminated this surface water thus making them unsafe for human consumption. The purpose of the study is to examine the pollution levels of rivers in Enugu urban in relation to the safe limits described by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control standard. Water samples were collected from the ten major rivers in the study area. The result of the study shows that apart from New Haven River, the level of pollutants in rivers in Enugu is not significantly different from the NAFDAC standard. However, most rivers in Enugu, though with some traces of pollutants, can be easily treated for domestic consumptions and usages

Keywords: Pollution, Standards, Rivers