Assessment of Bacteriological Quality and Heavy Metals Concentrations of Borehole Water Tanks in Wuse 1 District of Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

Borehole water is an alternative source of portable water readily available for domestic and commercial uses in Wuse 1 District of Abuja and Nigeria. The study evaluates the bacteriological quality and heavy metals concentrations of borehole tank water in Wuse 1 District. Sixty-three (63) water samples (27 Residential and 36 Commercial) were aseptically collected and analyzed following standard microbiological methods while analysis of heavy metals water sample was carried out using flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (Model 220AS Autosampler). Out of the total water samples, E. coli, S. typhi, S. dysentriae and S. aerues were more isolated accounting for 3.2%, 11.3%, 5% and 3.8% respectively in which commercial borehole tank water showed in each case, higher occurrence of individual bacteria isolates The Physiochemical assessment showed no indication of industrial pollution. There was no significant difference in COD (P = 0.04). Heavy metals composition of borehole water in the district showed that Cadmium and Lead were scarcely detected. Zones which showed presence of cadmium in commercial water tanks were, Z5 and Z6 with 0.007ppm and 0.001ppm respectively, while those of residential water tanks were, Z1 with 0.001ppm. Overall copper concentration ranged from 0.01ppm to 0.108ppm, iron 0.22ppm to 1.75ppm, and manganese 0.01ppm to 0.11ppm, while that of zinc was 0.248ppm and 0.327ppm respectively. The study therefore recommends that borehole water from storage tanks be pre-treated by boiling before use, and also soil investigation is imperative to ascertain the elemental composition of a choice land before drilling.