PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND BACTERIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF GROUND WATER AT ABUBAKAR TATARI ALI POLYTECHNIC BAUCHI, NIGERIA

Abstract

Ground water is an important source of water for domestic use especially in developing countries like Nigeria. Water is said to be safe for drinking when it is free of pathogens, poisonous substances and excessive amount of mineral and organic matter. This research is aimed at assessing the ground water quality at Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic, Bauchi with a view to determining it suitability for domestic utilization. Water samples were collected from the two hand dug wells and two boreholes that were available within the institution in the dry season of 2012. From each of the water sources, five replicate samples were collected for the analysis. Temperature, pH and Conductivity, were directly measured using pH, Temperature and conductivity meters respectively. Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) calculated from the conductivity values obtained. Turbidity determined with a HACH 2100 P Turbidity meter. Nitrate, nitrite, sulphate, phosphate and fluoride, chloride, contents were calorimetrically analyzed using DR890 Colorimeter. Calcium was determined by EDTA titration, while Total Alkalinity was determined by strong acid titration method. Trace elements – Total iron, Copper, Fluoride, Zinc, Lead, Chromium and Arsenic were determined using Atomic absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) after extraction with Aqua-regia. Total and faecal coliforms were determined by Membrane Filtration method using M-Endo-Agar Les (Difco) at 37oC and on MFC Agar at 44oC, respectively. Results of physico-chemical analysis indicated that mean values of Turbidity (6NTU), Total Hardness (195mg/L) and Fluoride 1.59mg/L in water obtained from hand dug wells have exceeded the threshold limits recommended by regulatory authorities. The bacteriological analysis also revealed that all the two ground water sources contained high Total and Feacal Coliform counts and therefore not suitable for drinking. It is recommended among others that proper disinfection should be carried out on the water and the general sanitary condition of the area should be improved.