Appraising the risk level of physicochemical and bacteriological twin contaminants of water resources in part of the western Niger Delta region

Abstract

This study was carried out to assess the physicochemical and bacteriological contaminants of surface, shallow well and municipal borehole waters in part of the western Niger Delta as a way of safeguarding public health against waterborne diseases. A total of 72 water samples collected from the study area were analysed and their results show that the pH average value ranges from 6.2 in the dry to 8.5 in the rainy seasons for surface water, 6.6 and 8.3 for shallow well water and 6.5 to 8.4 for borehole water. The turbidity in surface water varies from 8.1 to 26.2 Formazin Attenuation Unit (FAU), 0.3 to 2.9 FAU in shallow well water and 0.4 to 4.8 FAU in borehole water. Electrical conductivity (EC) value varies from 1010 to 1840 μs/cm for surface water, 201 to 950 μs/cm for shallow well water and 670 to 1650 μs/cm for borehole water. Total dissolved solids range from 0.1 to 2.6 mg/l in surface water, 0.2 to 4.1 mg/l in shallow well water and 0.3 to 4.4 mg/l in borehole water. The value of the total hardness ranges from 44 to 120 mg in surface water, 46 to 96 mg in shallow well water and 70 to 130 mg in borehole water. The nitrate value ranges from 1.1 to 10.6 mg in surface water, 3.0 to 8.4 mg in shallow well water and 3.7 to 9.6 mg in borehole water. The value of sulphate content varies from 4.6 to 38.5 mg in surface water, 6.2 to 34.8 mg in shallow well water and 5.7 to 55.7 mg in borehole water. The value of phosphate concentrations in surface water varies from 1.0 to 9.0 mg, 0.7 to 3.4 mg in shallow well water and 1.0 to 4.7 mg in borehole water. The bacteriological analysis using the membrane filtration technique revealed the presence of faecal bacteria and total coliform counts. The presence of the analysed twin contaminants in the studied water resources reduced their water quality. The physicochemical and bacteriological data were subjected to statistical and correlation tests. It was concluded that their concentration levels were independent of intra-seasonal changes. The likely natural and artificial sources of contaminants are run-offs from fertilized lands, septic tanks, industrial discharges, sewage and waste disposal, algae blooms and erosion from natural deposits. The inherent risk is water-related diseases such as waterborne diseases, water-washed diseases, water-based diseases and diseases transmitted by water-related insect vectors. Water resources should be protected through proper sanitation systems, limiting of up-stream discharges, maintenance of wellheads, boiling and municipal water treatment plants. Educational advice should be given to the inhabitants on the dangers posed by continuous drinking of contaminated water. These measures will prevent disease outbreak and public health burden in the area. Environ Monit Assess (2020) 192: 324

Assessment of Physicochemical and Microbiological Qualities of Potable Water Sources in Okorenkoko, Delta State Nigeria

“…The samples S1KR and S2KR had an electrical conductivity of 140 and 160 µS/cm while S1OK and S4OK had 6.91 and 5.62 µS/cm. The results of the findings agreed with the earlier report of Ocheli et al (2020) whose study observed that ground water had a high level of electrical conductivity than other sources. Suggestions that EC values higher than 400 µS/cm definitely contains a number of ions and radicals.…”

“…Furthermore, the present study agrees strongly with the report of Igwe et al (2021) whose investigation obtained a range of values between 6.8 to 6.9 while the control samples had a range from 6.0 to 7.1. In a related study, Ocheli et al (2020) reported ranges between pH 6.2 and 8.5 for surface water, pH 6.6 and 8.3 for shallow well and pH 6.5 and 8.4 for borehole water while WHO permissible limit of 6.5-8.5. These concentration values agree with previously data in the Niger Delta Region (Bolaji and Tse, 2009).…”

An appraisal of data collection, analysis, and reporting adopted for water quality assessment: A case of Nigeria water quality research

“…Consequently, the south-south and south-west have abundant surface and groundwater, and annual rainfall is high. Specifically, the major sources of water in the south-south are creeks, rivers, shallow wells and boreholes; and studies of water quality in this part have been tailored to them ( Ihunwo et al., 2020 ; Ocheli et al., 2020 ; Owamah, 2020 ; Owoyemi et al., 2019 ). Similarly, studies in the south-west have been related to several rivers, lagoons, groundwaters, lake and stream, as these are abundant ( Ebele et al., 2020 ; Ezemonye et al., 2019 ; Gbadebo, 2020 ; Odukoya et al., 2017 ; Ogunbanwo et al., 2020 ).…”

Bacteriological Quality of Drilling Water Intended for Human Consumption in Four Prefectures in the Savannah Region of Togo

“…Therefore, drinking water must comply with hygienic, chemical and even organoleptic quality standards (Fisher et al, 2020). When drinking water does not meet these quality standards, it can cause water-borne infections including cholera (Ocheli et al, 2020), bloody diarrhea (Antwi-Agyei et al, 2016), dysentery, hepatitis, typhoid fever and certain virus diseases (Ngure et al, 2019). While water-related diseases have largely been eliminated in developed countries, they remain one of the leading causes of death in developing countries, particularly in Africa (Soncy et al, 2019).…”

“…Five million deaths per year are believed to be due to waterborne diseases, including two million deaths of children under five years of age (WHO, 2019a). Larger quantities of water and a reduction in the risk of contamination of the water consumed are two of the predominant elements for a better prevention of the faecal danger, which is the main cause of diarrhoeal diseases that constitute a real scourge in African cities (Ocheli et al, 2020;Toure et al, 2019). These problems are exacerbated in urban areas, due to a combination of aggravating factors: high density of unhealthy housing, lack of sanitation, pollution of unprotected water sources (Igbinosa and Aighewi, 2017).…”