WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF THE SILUKO RIVER, EDO STATE, NIGERIA USING WATER QUALITY INDEX (WQI)

ABSTRACT

The quality of a given water body is controlled by its physical, chemical and biological factors. Natural ecosystem of freshwater bodies is being polluted from natural and anthropogenic activities such as the over-exploitation of natural resources and the discharge of industrial effluents into waterways. This study was conducted in Siluko River, Edo State, Nigeria to evaluate and analyze the suitability for household consumption of the water of the river, based on calculated water quality index standards. Water samples were collected monthly from four (4) stations along the river course for a period of four (4) months, September to December, 2021. The water samples were analyzed for seventeen (17) physicochemical parameters according to outlined procedures in the Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater (APHA) and the Nigeria Federal Ministry of Environment Standard for Surface Water (FMEnv.) was implemented as the reference standard. Water quality Index was determined using Weighted Arithmetic Mean method. Results showed spatial variations among the physicochemical parameters of Siluko River, of which most parameters constitute water quality. One of the most important parameters in determining the quality of water is Water Quality Index (WQI). The observed water quality index values (6.64 to 10.20) for the Siluko River suggest that the water is suitable for drinking and use for other domestic purposes but the water should be protected by regulatory bodies due to the anthropogenic activities occurring at the stations.