Seasonal Assessment of Underground Water Quality

Levels of physiochemical parameters and heavy metals in water collected in dry and wet seasons from some boreholes in Wamba Area of Nasarawa state, Nigeria were assessed. Physicochemical parameters were determined using standard methods. Metal concentrations were quantified using atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS). Physicochemical quality index (WQI) and metal pollution index (HQI) were also determined. Water pH was slightly alkaline for both seasons. Highest levels of total solids (405.331.0 mg/l), electrical conductivity (5260.00), total alkalinity (225.001.0 mg/l) and total dissolved solids (315.000.00 mg/l) were recorded in BH3, while total dissolved solids and total solids were highest in BH4 (93.001.0 mg/l and BH5 (22.001.41 mg/l) respectively in dry season. Levels of most physicochemical parameters were significantly (P 0.05) higher in the dry season. Concentrations of Al (0.070.003 mg/l), Cd (0.040.00 mg/l) and Cu (0.140.00 mg/l) were highest in BH1 in dry season. Concentration of Zn was the highest in the boreholes, while Fe and Pb were recorded at low levels. Concentrations of Cd (0.800.01 mg/l), Cu (15.4019.20 mg/l) and Fe (0.010.00 mg/l) were significantly (P 0.05) higher in the wet season. Physicochemical quality index (WQI) and heavy metal pollution index (HQI) show that water from the boreholes were unpolluted.