Physicochemical Analysis of Stream Water from Sabon Barki of Bokkos LGA of Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

The availability and access to portable water has been a global problem especially in developing countries where regulations and government policies is poorly implemented and managed. The determination of the physical and chemical parameters of stream water samples from Sabon Barki of Bokkos LGA of Plateau state were carried out and the results were subjected to statistical analysis using one-way Anova which were compared with WHO recommended standards to ascertain the suitability and portability of the water for drinking and other domestic purpose. Systematic sampling was adopted and water samples were collected during the morning hour only from the upstream, midstream and downstream in replicates as it flows through many villages making up nine (9) samples consisting of three representative samples per stream point. Temperature and pH were measured at the point sample collections. The Results of the analysis revealed that the electrical conductivity values at 25 oC varied from 0.01-0.03 µS/cm, pH values ranged from 6.50-7.63 and the total hardness of water ranged from 49.0-65.0 mg/L(CaCO3). Turbidity values of 14.0-3.20 NTU were higher than WHO standard of 5.0 and suspended solids ranged between 36.0-58.0 mg/L. The maximum concentration of chlorides, nitrates, sulphates and phosphates were 15.0 mg/L, 20.0 mg/L, 23.0 mg/L and 3.25 mg/L respectively, which were within the WHO approved limits for potable water. The values of ammonia, Dissolve Oxygen (DO) and Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) were 0.02 mg/L, 9.00 mg/L and 7.30 mg/L respectively. The water samples were also found to contain small amount of mineral content due to low conductivity values. The result shows that all the parameters investigated across of the water samples except turbidity fall within the acceptable limit of the WHO guidelines for quality drinking water. The study is limited by number of samples due to difficulty in accessing some of the sampling points and variation in seasons as a result of dilution during the wet seasons. Therefore, the stream water from Sabon Barki of Bokkos LGA of Plateau state is considered fit for direct drinking when subjected to practical pre-treatment through boiling, sedimentation and filtration.