Water Quality Assessment of Selected Boreholes in Federal University Dutse Campus North-West, Nigeria

Abstract

The present study was conducted to assess the physicochemical and bacteriological quality of water sampled from different boreholes on the campus of Federal University Dutse. Water samples were collected from six (6) different boreholes. Physicochemical parameters; pH, Electrical conductivity (EC), and temperature were measured in-situ. pH, EC, and temperature ranged from 6.53¬7.80, 422.0¬690 µ/cm, and 31.0¬33.0ºC, respectively. Turbidity, total hardness, and nitrite (NO2) were found to be in the range of 0.01¬41.2 NTU, 51.3¬102.6 mg/L, and 0.001¬0.06 mg/L, respectively. Bacteriological analysis also revealed the presence of E. coli in four (4) of the assessed boreholes. Upon comparison with water quality standards of World Health Organization (WHO) and Nigeria Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ), it was found that some of the parameters were above the permissible standards for potable water that is fit for human consumption. It is therefore recommended that all stakeholders entrusted with water quality management should be actively involved in ensuring that all public serving boreholes are subjected to appropriate water quality tests with a view to ascertaining its quality so as to adequately advise on its consumption status. Water quality inspectors should be sent on a regular basis to the tertiary institutions in the state for routine check-ups.