Physico-Chemical Analysis of Water from Hand-Dug Wells in Wadata Area of Makurdi Metropolis, Nigeria

In many countries around the world, including Nigeria, access to potable water has become a mirage. Thus, exploitation of groundwater through the construction of hand-dug wells has become a major source of drinking water for majority of the populace. The need to assess the quality of water from this source has become imperative because of the health impacts on individuals. The physico-chemical characteristics of water from 166 hand-dug wells in Wadata area of Makurdi metropolis, Nigeria, were assessed during the dry season of 2017. Chloride(Cl-), Nitrate(NO3-), Sulphate(SO42-), Ammonium(NH4+), Phosphate(PO43-), Total hardness (TH), Total dissolved solids (TDS) and turbidity were determined using standard analytical methods. Sodium (Na), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), and Potassium (K) were determined using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (PG 990 model). As part of the physical parameters, TDSranged from 19.20 to 8932.20 mg/L while Turbidity also ranged from 1.00 to 12.00NTU. Chemical parameters were in the range of: Cl-(14.18 to 751.54 mg/L); NO3- (11.00 to 62050.00mg/L); SO42- (6.70 to 321.70mg/L); PO43-(12.30 to 1093.25mg/L); NH4+(2.60 to 321.40mg/L); TH(76.80 to 5467.80mg/L). Metalloids were in the range of: Na (2.90 to 78.60 mg/L); Ca (0.00 to 654.00mg/L); Mg (3.70 to 67.80 mg/L); K (4.00 to 238.00 mg/L).Many hand-dug wells in the area are contaminated based on the physicochemical parameters tested as values were above the acceptable limits prescribed by Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) for drinking water.This information is important to all stakeholders including regulatory authorities in environment and those saddled with the responsibilities of preventing and controlling water borne disease outbreaks.