Water quality checks on River Atuwara, South West, Nigeria.
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Date
2018
Authors
Omole, D.O.
Ogbiye, A.S.
Longe, E.O.
Adewumi, I.K.
Elemile, O.O.
Tenebe, T.I.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
WIT Press
Abstract
Some water-use practices taking place along River Atuwara are conflicting and detrimental to public
health and the environment. The Ogun State Water Corporation (OGSWC), which has the responsibility
of supplying piped water to residents and industrial firms, also withdraws raw water from River
Atuwara. However, OGSWC has low capacity to meet demand, thus many residents’ recourse to
alternative water sources including withdrawing water from the river for domestic purposes. At the
upstream section of River Atuwara, however, waste deposits from illegal discharges of effluent from
industries and sewage collectors are made into the river. Water samples were obtained from the
upstream point where wastes are deposited into the river as well as the downstream location where
villagers draw the water. Chemical parameters tested for include heavy metals such as iron, zinc, lead,
cadmium, copper, nickel, and chromium. Additionally, nitrate and nitrite were tested. Tested biological
parameters include total coliform and total bacteria count while tested physical parameters include pH,
temperature, dissolved oxygen, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, and turbidity. All
parameters were determined using standard laboratory methods. The results were compared to the
Nigerian standard for drinking water quality (NSDWQ). Results indicate that the water being consumed
by the villagers is unfit for drinking as lead, nickel, nitrite, and total coliform exceeded the standard
limit by 900%, 6,910%, 8,000%, and 1,610% respectively. The researchers recommended that the
government needs to protect the helpless villagers from industrial polluters by deploying appropriate
law enforcement agents. Also, advocacy programs should be launched to educate villagers on dangers
of ingesting raw water from River Atuwara. Also, methods for home treatment of identified pollutants
from the river should be taught to the users. These measures are necessary to protect public health from
a possible outbreak of epidemic.
Description
Scholarly article
Keywords
River , Pollution , Water quality standards , Heavy Metals , Drinking Water , Public Health , Dissolved Oxygen , Research Subject Categories::TECHNOLOGY
Citation
Omole, D.O., Ogbiye, A.S., Longe, E.O., Adewumi, I. K., Elemele, O. O., and Tenebe, J.J. (2018). Water quality checks on River Atuwara, South West, Nigeria. WIT Transaction on Ecology and Environment, 228:165-173.