Analysis of the Physico-Chemical and Microbiological Quality of Imabolo Stream Water in Ankpa Urban Area of Kogi State, Nigeria

Abstract

The non-functional public water supply in most urban areas has compelled residents to resort to the use of stream water for drinking and domestic purposes. The study examined physiochemical and microbiological quality of Imabolo stream water in Ankpa urban Kogi State, Nigeria. Thus, the purpose was to ascertain whether those who depend on this stream are exposed to health risks. To achieve this aim, water samples were collected from seven locations along the stream reach in March, 2014. In situ and laboratory analysis of eighteen physico-chemicals and two microbiological parameters were carried out according to standard procedures. Descriptive statistics and ANOVA were employed to analyze the data obtained from the laboratory analysis. The results were also compared with WHO and NSDWQ standard for drinking water quality. The analysis revealed that six samples had elevated values of parameters above the recommended limits for human consumption. The results revealed variations in the concentrations of parameters in water samples among stations for temperature, electrical conductivity, total dissolved sold, turbidity, biological oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, nitrate, sulphate, iron, calcium, lead, cadmium, alkalinity, total hardness, total coliforms and escherichia coli in analyzed water samples. The study advances appropriate recommendations to remediate and improve the quality of the stream water in order to meet the water demands of the growing urban population.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n6s4p549