Assessment of Groundwater Quality and Suitability for Drinking purpose in Imo State, Nigeria

Résumé

Background: Groundwater serves as a primary source of freshwater supply, especially in areas where surface water availability is limited or unreliable, which brings about a rising need to provide improved water supply for drinking purposes. This study assessed the quality and suitability of groundwater for drinking purposes in Imo state, Nigeria

Methods: A total of 19 groundwater samples from boreholes within the study area were collected for the groundwater

quality and suitability assessment. Calibration of pH meter, EC/TDS meter, and turbidity meter were carried out by using the standard buffer solutions, sample bottles were washed and rinsed with distilled water. In-situ measurements of parameters such as pH and EC were taken on the site so as to avoid change during transportation and over time. Samples from the borehole were collected into the sampling bottles, which were preserved in an ice box and taken to the lab where other parameters and heavy metals were analysed.

Results: The pH values of groundwater range from 5.4 to 7.1. Values of Electrical conductivity across the study area range between 27.30 µS/cm and 97.00 µS/cm, indicating very low mineralization. The Water Quality Index (WQI) was computed using selected physicochemical parameters which show that the WQI values across the study area range from 30 to 74.

Conclusions: The study revealed that the relatively low WQI values across most locations indicate that groundwater resources within the study area are generally suitable for drinking purposes with minimal treatment.