Evaluation of Water Qualities of Ebonyi River for Drinking Purposes in Abakaliki Southeastern Nigeria

Abstract

This study evaluated the qualities of Ebonyi River for drinking purposes in Abakaliki southeastern Nigeria. Five replicate water samples were collected from areas of the Ebonyi River dominated by agricultural, domestic, commercial and industrial activities in February 2014. These water samples were used for the determination of conductivity, colour transmittance, dissolved solid, suspended solid, total solid, Ca hardness, Mg hardness, total hardness, zinc and copper concentrations. Temperature measurements were also, recorded in-situ in these areas of different activities. The data collected were analyzed using analysis of variance and standard deviation whereas treatment differences among means were dictated using fisher’s least significant difference. Similarly, the data obtained were compared with World Health Organization Standards for drinking water qualities. Apart, from copper which recorded zero concentration in all the areas of different activities studied in Ebonyi River, the results showed a significant (p<0.05) difference among the areas of difference activities with respect to all the other parameters studied. The observed total solid, dissolved solid, total hardness, Ca hardness, Mg hardness and zinc concentrations in all the areas of different activities were all within the World Health Organization recommended standards for drinking water. Whereas the recorded colour transmittance in all the areas of difference activities; the observed conductivities and temperatures in the areas of commercial and industrial activities and the recorded suspended solid in the area of agricultural activities were higher than recommended standards by World Health Organization. Therefore, Ebonyi River is unfit for drinking and must be treated before using for drinking purposes to ensure healthy living.