Assessment of Heavy Metal Concentration in Drinking Water Sources from some Selected Districts of Michika, Adamawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Safe discharge of untreated wastewater and scarcity of water is still a burning issue facing mankind today. The current study was carried out to analyze the concentration of heavy metals in drinking water sources from some selected districts of Michika, Nigeria. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) was used in the analysis of the water samples from boreholes and wells. The respective mean concentration of heavy metals for borehole and well water is 0.0286 and 0.0209 for Nickel, 0.2051 and 0.3979 for Manganese, 0.0015 and 0.0021 for Copper, 0.5472 and 0.8314 for Magnesium, 0.1457 and 0.1420 for Chromium, 0.0011 and 0.001 for Cadmium, 0.1056 and 6.9317 for Lead, 0.5552 and 0.2183 for Cobalt and 0.9924 and 0.5747 for Iron. The results reveal that the first four element (Ni, Mn, Cu and Mg) have values below the maximum recommended value by WHO and USEPA. However, the concentrations of the remaining elements (Cr, Cd, Pb, Co and Fe) exceed the accepted value set by USEPA, WHO and NSDWQ. The water is thus not completely safe for drinking and domestic use. It is therefore recommended that the water needs proper treatment.