Physico-Chemical Evaluation of Groundwater in Kuje, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was done to determine the quality of water from hand-dug wells in Kuje, Federal Capital Territory Abuja Nigeria. The study area lies between latitudes 080 53’ 24’’N and 080 53’ 47’’N and longitude 070 14’ 24’’E and 070 14’ 35’’E. Water from twenty wells were randomly sampled. The physical properties investigated are pH, temperature, total dissolved solid (TDS) and electrical conductivity. The chemical analysis involved determination of the concentration of anions (SO42-, HCO3-, Fl-, CO3-, Cl-, NO3) and cations (Ca2+, Mg+, Na+,K+, Zn+, Fe2+, Cu2+. A piper diagram based on the relative percentages of the ions was plotted for classification according to hydrogeochemical facies of each water sample based on their dominant ions. The Piper diagram indicated Ca2+ and HCO3- as the dominant ions and therefore it is Ca−HCO3 water type. The physical properties of the water were found to be good based on World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines and National Drinking Water Quality Standard (NDWQS) and therefore water in the study area is safe for human consumption.KEYWORDS: groundwater, hydrochemical facies, anion, cation, piper diagram