Quality Assement of Two Surface Dams in Two Communities of Plateau State, Central Nigeria.

Abstract

Water Samples of two surface dams in parts of Plateau State. Central Nigeria, were subjected to physico-chemical and microbiological analysis to assess their suitability for domestic uses. The results of study showed that the physical parameters like temperature, colour,odour,taste and, total dissolved solids (TDS) for both dams are within the WHO standards for drinking water. However, the turbidity was found to be high with values of 35±2.13 and 16±0.92 for the respective dams as compared to the WHO value 5.00NTU. Similarly, chemical parameters of pH conductivity, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), dissolved oxygen (DO), oil and grease, ammonia, Mg Ca-hardness, chloride, phosphate and alkalinnity for both dams were found to be above the WHO recommended values for drinking water. Elemental analysis using ICP-OES also indicated that Zn, Pb, Ni, Mo, Mn and Ba were above the tolerable limits of recommended by WHO for drinking water. The total viable counts for all the samples exceed the limit of 1.0 x 10² cfu ml for water. Identified isolates included staphyloccus aureus, salmonella spp, pseudomonas spp. Escherchia coli and protens spp. Based on the outcome of this study the two dams are considered not potable and proteus health risks to the communities using them for drinking purposes.