Quality of rainwater harvesting for rural communities of Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

This paper assess the level of potability of rainwater samples harvested from catchments roofs in 6 rural communities of Delta State, Nigeria to achieve this goal a stratified sampling technique was adopted in the establishment of 90 sterilized cans into the 3 senatorial districts of Delta; on the basis of one can for thatch, aluminium, asbestos and corrugated iron sheets, and open surfaces. Six rural communities each were chosen from the three senatorial districts, making a total of 18 rural communities that were chosen for the study. The harvested rainwater samples were analysed with the most appropriate equipment and analytical techniques as recommended by World Health Organisation (WHO) and federal ministry of environment in Nigeria. Kruskal-wallis H'test statistical techniques was employed to ascertain whether differences exist amongst the rainwater samples collected from thatch, aluminium, asbestos and corrugated iron roofing sheets, and open surfaces. The result revealed that most of physiochemical and biological characteristics of rainwater samples were generally below the WHO threshold, as such the rainwater characteristics showed satisfactory concentration in these rural communities. Thus, the rainwater from these rural communities should be harvested, stored for human consumption and for other uses by the inhabitants. But

Spatial and Temporal Variation of Rainwater Chemistry in Ile-Ife and Its Environ, Osun State, Nigeria

“…Other sources of variation in rain water chemistry include climate condition and level of exposure of the atmosphere (Efe 2005;Efe 2006). Rainwater chemistry is usually modified during its movement over the continent as it collects many air borne particles released by industries, urban settlements, terrestrial dust, agricultural activities and marine environment.…”

Effects of Gas Flaring on the Physicochemical and Microbiological Quality of Water Sources in Egbema, Imo State, Nigeria

“…Water, though relatively distributed worldwide, suffers portability owing to anthropogenic and other biogenic activities. In short, Water remains one of the environmental resources that suffers exploitation by life activities [1]. In a general point of view, water related challenges are either as a result of too much water with poor portability or scarcity of water [2].…”

Temperature effects on cooked food in the tropics: A case study of local soups in Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria

“…Abraka is located within the tropical environment, based on the classification of Koppen (1918) and Strahler (1965). Monthly temperature ranges between 23 and 32°C, while monthly rainfall ranges between 25.4 and 457 mm (Efe, 2006). The major economic activities of the locals include farming, transportation, trading, service, etc.…”

“…As a result of economic activities engaged in by locals, food is left for up to 6 to 7 h without reheating, as such bacteria are allowed to incubate and multiply. The implication of this is that soups go soured and in most cases are poured away, while in some other cases are still consumed, since some locals are very poor (Efe, 2006). The consequences of these include, triggering some health conditions and exacerbating poverty situation in the area, since the already poor has to spend more money to replace food that had already been cooked.…”