The concentrations of heavy metals and health risks associated with the consumption of domestic water sources around a dumpsite in Enugu (southeastern Nigeria) were assessed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and multivariate analysis. The results showed the dumpsite leachate mean pH value of 4.1, Mn+ of 11.4 µg/l, Fe3+ 4.1 µg/l, Cd+ 0.3, As+ 6.03 µg/l, Pb+ 2.47 µg/l, Ni+ 14.13 µg/l, and Cr3+ 1.48. The groundwater and surface water samples had mean heavy metal values as follows: Mn+ 5.23 and 0.75 µg/l, Fe3+ 1.49 and 0.15 µg/l, Cd+ 0.08 and 0.10 µg/l, As+ 1.90 and 0.15 µg/l, Pb+ 1.01 and 0.35 µg/l, Ni+ 0.37 and 0.05 µg/l, and Cr3+ 0.03 and 0.05 µg/l, respectively. Comparison with maximum permissible limits indicated that the mean heavy metal concentrations of the tested samples were lower than the limits for drinking water, except for Mn+, As+, and Pb + , which were marginal above recommended limits. Principal component analysis results showed two principal components with the first principal component having high loadings of Mn+, Fe3+, As+, Pb+, Ni+, and Cr3+, which are statistically correlated. Probable sources of these contaminants include automobile parts and tools, batteries and electrical appliances and electronics heaped at the dumpsite. Analysis of variance results indicates a significant difference in datasets between and within each and both water sources. Human health risk assessment indices indicated that the water sources are moderate to highly polluted and could pose both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic threats when consumed untreated, with children being more exposed than adults.

Water is undoubtedly the most beneficial resource of the earth available to man. Covering about ¾ of the earth's surface as oceans, streams, rivers, seas and lakes, water has proven useful to man for agricultural, industrial, domestic and other life sustaining purposes (Elueze et al., 2004). Aside the surface occurrence of water, water also occurs at the subsurface as groundwater. Over the last few years, attention has been directed towards assessing the quality of this surface and groundwater as well as how much their quality is being impacted by the activities of man (Norman et al., 2006). Enugu metropolis is an area blessed by an abundance of surface and groundwater resources; however, the citing of a major dumpsite in the area has raised concerns about the possible impact of leachate-yielding inorganic contaminants on the quality of the natural waters occurring within the area. Fawell, 1993 has carried out extensive studies on the impact of inorganic contaminants from dumpsite leachates on the quality of surface and groundwater. The unhealthy state of the Ugwuaji dumpsite, located within the Enugu metropolis and the presence of inorganic waste materials in the dumpsite necessitated this study. As is the case in most developing nations, the only available means of waste management is the use of municipal landfills which produce leachates that yield inorganic contaminants that don't just affect the surface and groundwater quality but also affects the health of humans adversely upon consumption. Diarrhea and chronic dehydration are attendant diseases and infections associated with the consumption of water polluted by inorganic materials. Based on the above background, this study focuses on the evaluation of natural water sources within the Enugu metropolis with a view of ascertaining the impact of inorganic contaminants from the dumpsite leachates on their quality. In addition, this work examines the possible sources of such inorganic contaminants as well as the portability of the waters for consumption purposes. Dumpsite DescriptionThe Ugwuaji dumpsite is located at about 1.6km off the Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway in Enugu metropolis, Southeastern Nigeria. The Enugu metropolis is bounded by notable settlements such as Emene, Nkpologu and Ugwuaji and lies within latitudes N6 0 24'00' and N6 0 30'00' and longitudes E7 0 30'00' and E7 0 36'00' (fig 1). The Ugwuaji dumpsite is the final disposal ground for all wastes generated within and around the Enugu metropolis including industrial, agricultural and domestic wastes (fig. 2). It sits on a gently sloping terrain dipping in all directions away from its centre (fig. 3) and

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