QUALITY OF WELL WATER IN OWO, SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA

In order to assess the quality of well water in Owo Local Government Area of Southwestern Nigeria, samples of water were collected from wells in five different locations of Ipele, OkeOgun, Iyere, Oke-Ijebu and Isuada. Analyses of physical, chemical and microbial qualities were carried out on each of the samples. The results showed that the water samples conformed withthe WHO recommended standards for both physical and chemical qualities for potable water. Samples were generallyodourless, colourless and of low turbidity (2.6-3.8), but slightly tasty in two locations; pH (5.6 - 7.2mg/l), EC (98?752mg/l), Calcium hardness (43.21 ? 87.40 mg/l) and Total hardness (67.40 ? 132.31 mg/l). However, microbial analysis showed the presence of E-coli in the samples collected fromIpele, Oke-Ogun, Iyere and Oke-Ijebu, an objectionable organism which indicatedfaecal contamination of wells. Since shallowwell formed the main source of water for domestic purposes in Owo, it is therefore recommended that well should be sited far away from septic tanks and other similar sources of contamination. Added to this,is the need for the treatment of water before consumptionin the area while government should intensify efforts to construct more boreholes to replace handdug wells which are highly prone to surface runoff from various sources of contaminants.