Research Article Open Access

Water Quality Index Assessment of Eweh River in Khana Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

Water is an essential requirement for human, industrial development and sustainability. It has been used over time for several purposes. This study aims to assess the surface water quality of the eweh river using water quality index in Eweh community in ken-khana, Khana local government area, rivers state. Samples were collected upstream, midstream, and downstream for 3 months, morning, evening and a total of 36 samples were achieved within this period. The samples were analysed for physiochemical parameters, heavy metals, and microbial content using a standard method of analysis. The results showed pH ranging from 4.40-5.00, temperature 27.6°C-28.9°C, Alkalinity 3 mg/l-19 mg/l, hardness 0.30 mg/l-0.35mg/l, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) 9 mg/l-10 mg/l, chloride 1.0 mg/l-1.5 mg/l, calcium 0.10 mg/l-0.15 mg/l and magnesium <0.001 mg/l. For nutrient levels, phosphate ranged from 0.08 mg/l-0.024 mg/l, sulphate <1.0 mg/l and nitrate <0.05 mg/l. Heavy metal concentrations revealed manganese <0.002 mg/l, lead <0.01 mg/l; iron 0.109 mg/l-0.267 mg/l. The microbial contents also showed Total Coliform Bacteria (TCB) to be 2.0 cfu/ml downstream; Total Heterotrophic Bacteria (THB) ranged from 32 cfu/ml-430 cfu/ml across the stream while Fecal Coliform Bacteria (FCB) were not detected. The values obtained for the water quality parameters were below the standard set by the World Health Organization (WHO) apart from THB and TCB. The surface water was found to be fresh, soft, and slightly acidic. The water quality index calculated at the three stations across the river shows that upstream are excellent while midstream and downstream are good as their water quality indices are within 0–25 and 25–50 classifications respectively. This surface water should be treated for pH and its microbial content for potability. Further studies are recommended for seasonal variations in the water quality characteristics. Awareness should be created to enlighten the people of eweh on the effects of water contamination and pollution.

Kalagbor I.A*, Kue B.D, Akinfolarin O.M

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