Assessment of the Impact of Industrial and Anthropogenic Activities on the Drinking Water Qualities of Borehole Water in Bundu – Ama Environs Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Abstract

The objective 0f this research was to investigate the drinking water qualities of borehole water used by inhabitants of Bundu-Ama environs; Port Harcourt, by comparing the chemical, physical and bacteriological qualities with WHO, NIS standards. Samples were collected in the dry season month of December, 2011 and analysed for pH, Turbidity, TDS, Conductivity, Total Hardness, Mineral Oil, BOD, COD, Chloride, Total Alkalinity, Nitrate, Phorsphate, Sulphate, Reactive Silica, Cyanide, Ammonium, Aluminum, Calcium Magnesium, Potassium, Sodium, Arsenic, Total Mercury, Selenium, Lead, Zinc, Total Iron, Copper, Manganese, Cadmium, Total Chromium, Total Coliform, Feacal Coliform, E-coli, Feacal Streptococci and Total Plate Count. Standard methods were adopted for field and laboratory studies. Results of the comparisons from the four sampled stations showed that the water was not acidic as the pH was within acceptable limits. The turbidity level was high in three of the sampled stations with the highest in Macoba (74.0 NTU). BOD exceeded the limits with the highest in Bundu water side (20.8mg/l). The metals were within the safe limits. The heavy metals investigated were within tolerable limits of WHO and NIS with the exception of Lead and Total Iron. Lead and Total Iron were detected in all the sampled stations but exceeded tolerable limits in Union Dicon industry. The Total Plate Count exceeded the tolerable limits for drinking water. However the hardness levels were within tolerable limits. These results showed that the borehole water from Bundu environs is contaminated with some pollutants entering the water table some distant from both the industries and sewage entering the boreholes. The borehole water should therefore be protected and treated before consumption. There is need for periodic monitoring of water samples from boreholes sources to ascertain their qualities.

Keywords: Bundu – Ama, Borehole Water, Physicochemical, Bacteriological