DRINKING WATER QUALITY IN SOME LOCAL VILLAGES: A CASE STUDY OF ENWAN AND IGARRA IN AKOKO-EDO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF EDO STATE

ABSTRACT

Some physicochemical properties, elements concentration and microbiological properties of three brands of sachet water and well water sold/produced in Enwan and Igarra; Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State was assessed. The results were compared with World Health Organization (WHO) standards and Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ) respectively. All sachet water samples had pH levels within the minimum range of 6.50-8.50 while well water sample was below the recommended WHO limits and NSDWQ, suggesting that the well water sample is acidic. The slight acidity of the well water sample may be connected to impurities from the untreated water. Results for other physicochemical parameters: potential of Hydrogen (7.16±0.20), conductivity (7.56±1.10 µS/cm), total dissolve solids (3.78±0.51 mg/l), Colour(2.11±0.70 Pt.Co.), Hardness (8.66±0.006), Turbidity (1.67±0.34 NTU), while for heavy metals are: Chloride (12.55±10.21 mg/l), sulphate (0.08±0.06 mg/l), Nitrate (0.70±0.44 mg/l), Zinc (0.29±0.05mg/l) and Iron (0.19±0.10 mg/l). All sachet water samples were within permissible limits, indicating that the sachet water samples are good enough for human consumption.