Impact of Municipal Dumpsite on Neighbouring Boreholes in Igbogo Community of Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was carried out to assess the impact of Igbogo Road municipal dumpsite on the quality of nearby boreholes. The dumpsite waste was characterized to ascertain the individual components. Leachate sample was taken from the bottom of the dumpsite and analysed for relevant physicochemical parameters. Water samples were collected from seven selected boreholes and analysed for relevant water quality parameters. Water quality index (WQI) was calculated for the monitored boreholes to reveal the quality status of the water. The result of the characterization of dumpsite waste revealed the following: plastic (40%), food waste (14%), tin/can (5%). rubber (4%), textile (4%), yard waste (10%), paper (11%), ash/dirt (2%), leather (0.5%), glass (5%) and wood (4.5%). The leachate analysis gave the following results: pH (9.7), ammonia (3.07mg/L), alkalinity (674.3mg/L), DO (3.9mg/L), total hardness (235.8mg/L), iron (9.08001mg/L), zinc (4.28947mg/L) and BOD5 (7.2mg/L) that were above WHO and NSDWQ permissible limits, indicating potential for groundwater contamination. Computed WQI for the borehole water samples (with values ranging from 105.17 to 603.58) indicated that the groundwater around the dumpsite is extremely poor and unsuitable for drinking. The developed multiple linear regression model for WQI has an excellent fit to the measured data. The one-way multivariate ANOVA carried out showed no significant variation in water quality with increasing distance from the dumpsite. Therefore, it is concluded that leachate from the municipal dumpsite impacted on the water quality of the underlying neighbouring groundwater.