Assessment of Water Supply Quality in Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

The patronage of water of questionable qualities in the study area due to the failure of the Anambra State Water Corporation to provide potable water supply in Awka and environs prompted this research work. Various water sources patronized in the study area were collected and subjected to physical, chemical and microbial analysis to determine their pollution/contamination status. The work revealed that the surface and borehole/well Water sources are microbiologically polluted. Ca⁺² and Mg⁺² levels in water samples were high, this results to hard water. Fe+2 concentrations in the water samples ranged from 1.20-5.00 mg/l. 100% of samples exceeded the MPL of 0.3mg/l, low pH favours oxidation of ferrous iron to ferric iron, giving an objectionable reddish-brown colour to the water. Iron also promotes the growth of “iron bacteria”. Aggressive public awareness of the pollution status, routine check of the water quality and increased sanitary conditions in the study area in order to ameliorate this problem were recommended.

Keywords: Patronage, Contamination, Aggressive, Water Quality