Study on physicochemical and heavy metals (Pb, Fe, Mn) concentrations of tap water in Dutse, Jigawa state, Nigeria

Abstract

A study on the physicochemical and heavy metals concentration of drinking water in Dutse Jigawa State was conducted between May, 2010 and February 2011. The parameters analyzed were the colour, odour, taste, temperature, turbidity, conductivity, pH, alkalinity, total hardness, dissolved oxygen and some heavy metals (lead, iron and manganese). The water was found to be colourless, odourless, tasteless and free from all suspended particles visible to the nicked eye. The mean temperature, turbidity and conductivity of the water ranged from 26 - 270C, 0.006 – 0.559 NTU and 234 – 504.8 ìS/cm respectively. The pH, alkalinity and total hardness have mean value range of 6.5 -7.0, 22.5 – 129 mg/L and 7.75 – 16.22 mg/L respectively. The highest mean value for dissolved oxygen observed was 4.33 mg/L. The results of physicochemical study upon comparison with WHO and NIS standards of drinking water show that, the values were all within permissible limits. The concentration of lead, iron and manganese ranged between 0.09 – 0.27 mg/L, 0.25 –0.32 mg/L and 0.25 – 0.32 mg/L respectively. All the values except that of iron exceeded the permissible limits of drinking water recommended by WHO and NIS.

Keywords: Dutse, Drinking water Standard, Heavy metals, Permissible limit, physicochemical, potable water.