Trace Elements as Indicators of Quality of Drinking Water in Offa Metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study involved the determination of trace elements in drinking water in Offa Metropolis. Drinking water samples were collected from tap, well, borehole, stream and sachet water and analysed for Cr, Co, Cu, Fe, Mg and Mn using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The results obtained show the concentration ranges of the metals in the samples as follows: Cr (0.01 - 0.27)mgL^-1, Co (0.000 – 0.018) mgL^-1, Cu (0.001 – 0.023) mgL^-1, Fe (0.025 – 0.13) mgL^-1, Mg (0.007 – 0.082) mgL^-1 and Mn (0.002 – 0.009) mgL^-1. In conclusion these concentrations are within the permissible limit of the WHO drinking water quality guidelines except chromium with twenty-one samples above the WHO threshold limit and four samples within the limit.

Keywords: Offa metropolis, Trace elements, Water quality, Kwara State, Drinking water.