Assessment of Groundwater Drinking Sources in Eku and Its Environs, in the Niger-Delta Region of Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed the quality of hand-dug drinking water sources in Eku and its environs at Eku I, Samagidi, Eku 2, and Okuechi, using the weighted arithmetic water quality index method. Water samples collected from hand-dug wells at these locations returned values for analyzed parameters. Temperature 26 – 30(⁰C), dissolved Oxygen (D.O) 5.2-8mg/l, biological oxygen demand (BOD) 5.2-8(mg/l), Electrical Conductivity (EC) 77-119(µS/cm), Total suspended solids were (TSS) 20000-120000(mg/l), pH 5.31-7.09, Phosphates 2-9.2(mg/l), Alkalinity 28-160(mg/l), Turbidity, 0.02 -0.19(NTU) Total coliform 2 -48 (cfu/ml) and fungal count 1-502. Variations in the values of these parameters were only significant for phosphate, alkalinity, and turbidity between Samagidi and Okuechi at a level of significance of p≤0.05. D.O, BOD, phosphates, total coliform and TSS levels, exceeded standards recommended by NSDWQ/WHO, rendering these water sources unsuitable for drinking purposes. Cluster analysis revealed three cluster groups; cluster 1(Eku2), cluster 2(Samagidi), and cluster 3(Eku1 and Okuechi), while factor analysis showed a strong correlation with pH, D.O, BOD, phosphate, conductivity, total coliform and fungal counts with water sources in the study stations. The calculated WQI for these water sources is 107.56, 95.18, 103.45, and 110.36 for Eku I, Samagidi, Eku 2, and Okuechi, respectively, classifying them as very poor water quality and unsuitable for drinking purposes. Indiscriminate waste disposal, surface runoff and poor sanitary facilities, and the exposed nature of these wells are major contributors to the deterioration of these wells.

Composition, Abundance and Diversity of Plankton in Hand-Dug Wells in Ikpe Community, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

“…There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) though the covered wells (1 and 3) were relatively higher. Values (77.0 -119 µs/cm) within the range of this study were recorded by Iloba et al (2022) in Eku Delta State, Nigeria. However, Jagaba et al (2020) recorded higher values (57.0 -254 µs/cm) in Rafin Zurfi, Bauchi State, Nigeria, 207.0 -657 µs/cm was recorded by Amoo et al (2021) in Gaya, Kano State, Nigeria and value as high as 3999.0 µs/cm was recorded by Ali et al (2022) in Dutse, Jigawa State, Nigeria.…”

“…Elsewhere in Nigeria, for example, higher values were recorded. Asen et al (2019) recorded 12.3 -1093.3 mg/l in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria and 2.0 -9.2 mg/l was recorded by Iloba et al (2022) in Eku Delta State, Nigeria.…”

“…This could be attributed to general conditions of the wells (uncovered and poor sanitary condition). Similar conditions influenced nutrient and organic pollution of well waters in Eku, Delta State (Iloba et al, 2022). On the other hand, the two wells are located adjacent a wetland where rice and other crops were cultivated and domestic wastes are also dumped indiscriminately in the wetland.…”

“…Acidic to alkaline pH values were also recorded elsewhere in Nigeria. For example, Jagaba et al (2020) recorded 5.9 -9.1 in Rafin Zurfi, Bauchi State, Nigeria, 6.4 -7.1 was recorded by Amoo et al (2021) in Gaya, Kano State, Nigeria and 5.3 -7.1 was recorded by Iloba et al (2022) in Eku, Delta State, Nigeria. However, alkaline values (7.9 -8.9) were recorded by Ali et al (2022) in Dutse, Jigawa State, Nigeria.…”

“…Tula et al (2022) recorded lower values (19.3 -26.6°C) in hand-dug wells in Mubi, Adamawa State, Nigeria. However, Jagaba et al (2020) recorded higher value (29.8 -31.0°C) in Rafin Zurfi, Bauchi State, Nigeria, 29.6 -31.7°C was recorded byAmoo et al (2021) in Gaya, Kano State, Nigeria and 26.0 -30.0°C was recorded byIloba et al (2022) in Eku Delta State, Nigeria; attributed to the prevailing weather conditions at the time of sampling.…”