Comparative Determination of Chromium, Iron and Lead in Tamburawa Treated and Raw Water Samples

Abstract

Chemical analysis of raw and treated water from the Tamburawa water treatment plant was conducted twice a week for six consecutive weeks using Spectrophotometric measurement, to determine the level of Cr, Fe, and Pb in the water. The result of the study showed that the concentration of Pb in the raw water (0.023±0.008 mg/L) and treated water sample (0.027±0.011 mg/L) exceeded the WHO permissible limit of 0.01 mg/L for Pb in drinking water. The concentrations of Fe (0.065±0.026 mg/L raw and 0.049±0.024 mg/L treated) and that of Cr (0.017±0.007 mg/L raw and 0.026±0.014 mg/L treated) were found to be within their respective threshold limit of (0.3 mg/L for Fe) and (0.05 mg/L for Cr) respectively set by the World Health Organization (WHO) for drinking water standard. It is concluded that treated Tamburawa water is not potable for drinking with regards to Lead (Pb) because its level exceeded its WHO permissible limit for drinking water standard. Furthermore, the treatment plant needs appraisal and upgrading regulations in order to improve the quality of water being supplied to the Kano metropolis.