ABSTRACT
Water samples collected from three stations were tested for twenty-two (22) physico-chemical parameters using standard analytical procedures. Range of mean values for water temperature (22.25 – 26.25oC), pH (5.49 – 5.61), colour (11.75 – 14.75), electric conductivity (18.10 – 24.255μS/cm), turbidity (10.08 – 11.13NTU), total suspended solids (8.95 – 11.11mg/L), total dissolved solids (7.23 – 7.43mg/L), dissolved oxygen (6.80 – 6.88mg/L), biochemical oxygen demand (2.95 – 3.08mg/L), alkalinity (10.04 – 11.88mg/L), calcium (2.46 – 2.56mg/L), magnesium (0.73 – 1.53mg/L), chloride (10.76mg/L), phosphate (0.18 – 0.21mg/L), sulphate (2.53 – 2.94mg/L), nitrate (1.63 – 1.90 mg/L), potassium (0.98 – 1.21mg/L), cadmium (0.00 – 0.01mg/L), lead (0.01mg/L), copper (0.07 – 0.09mg/L), iron (0.60 – 0.65mg/L) and zinc (0.21 – 0.26mg/L). Water colour and magnesium content were significantly different across the three stations. All other parameters, with the exception of pH, turbidity, total suspended solids, biochemical oxygen demand and magnesium, were within the permissible limits recommended by the Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ) and World Health Organization (WHO). Water Quality Index (WQI) values ranged from 4.71 to 5.05 indicating excellent water quality. Although the quality of the water from the Owan River is suitable for drinking and domestic usage at present, to prevent future deterioration of the water, it is recommended that the regulating authorities monitor effluents discharged into the river from human activities.
