Stream Water Quality Assessment for Irrigation at Nasarawa - Kakuri Area of Kaduna, Nigeria

Abstract

This study aimed at examining some physic-chemical properties of the water samples taken from Nasarawa stream in Kaduna South Local Government Area with a view to determining its suitability as a major source of water for irrigation farming of vegetables and other crops cultivated along the course of the stream in the area. Six sampling points were located to the upstream and downstream sides of the stream with the Nasarawa bridge as a reference point. Grab samples were taken in the month of January at an interval of 100 m in plastic containers each of 1.5-litre capacity after being properly washed, cleaned and sterilized. The laboratory analyses were used to determine the experimental physic-chemical concentrations of pH, electrical conductivity, carbonate, bicarbonate, sulphate, chloride, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, boron, sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) and residual sodium carbonate (RSC) index in the stream water samples. Out of these parameters tested, four of them constitute major cause for concern. Electrical conductivity and potassium ion concentrations of the water samples exceeded the irrigation guideline values at all the six sampling points, boron ion concentration is close to guideline value at two points, while the SAR indicated severe case of potential sodium pollution at four points, hence the need for restriction in the use of the water for irrigation. This study, therefore, showed the need for the Nasarawa stream water to be subjected to some level of treatment especially during the dry season when the water will be required for irrigation, and when dilution by rain water will be totally absent. The Pearson Product Moment Correlation analysis was used to determine elemental interactions using the concentrations of ions.