The Impact of Refuse Dump sites on the Physico-chemical and Microbial Properties of ground Water in some selected areas

Abstract

The pollution effect of refuse dumps on the quality of wells at Ojota, Lagos, Apete, Ibadan and Odopetu, Akure were studied. Water samples were collected from wells within the vicinity of these dump sites and analyzed for some physico-chemical and microbial properties. The values of most of the physico-chemical parameters were within the WHO allowable concentrations for water quality. The Presumptive test indicated the presence of acid producing organisms in all the water samples. Coliform count ranged from 8 to 60 counts/ml. The total viable count ranged from 3.20x103 to 7.42x103 cfu/ml. This is an indication that water from the wells under study needs to be chemically treated before being suitable for drinking and other domestic chores.

Keywords: Refuse dumps, wells, physico-chemical and microbial properties.