ASSESSMENT OF GROUNDWATER QUALITY OF ISIOHOR COMMUNITY AND ENVIRONS

ABSTRACT

Seven (07) groundwater samples were randomly collected and analysed with the aim of assessing the groundwater quality in Isihor community and environs, southern Nigeria. All samples were analysed for their physico-chemical properties which include; pH ranged 6.26 to 6.84, electrical conductivity (EC) 24.3 to 82.3µS/cm, total dissolved solids (TDS) 17.0 to 57.6mg/l, sulphate (SO₄²- ) 0.09 to 0.18mg/l, phosphate (PO4 3- ) 0.16 to 0.27mg/l, nitrate (NO3-) 0.12 to 0.24mg/l, ammonium nitrogen (NH4N) 0.05 to 0.18mg/l, total hardness (TH) 2.16 to 2.87mg/l, turbidity and suspended solid (Non-detected), calcium (Ca2+) 0.23 to 1.06mg/l, magnesium (Mg2+) 1.80 to 1.83mg/l, alkalinity 0.6 to 1.50mg/l, sodium (Na+ ) 0.06 to 0.15mg/l and potassium (K+ ) 0.08 to 0.49mg/l. The physico-chemical analysis reveals that the values obtained for all parameter fall below WHO and NSDWQ specification for drinking water. Findings reveal that anthropogenic activities do not have any effect on groundwater. The study however shows that the groundwater is potable and can be consumed without treatment.