Physico-Chemical And Bacteriological Quality Of Surface Water Of River Benue, Nigeria

Abstract

The physico-chemical and bacteriological analysis of River Benue shows that the water is suitable for both industrial and agricultural purposes. However, the concentrations of Fe (range: 0.06-0.90 mg/l, mean: 0.50mg/l), Mn (range: 0.05-1.00mg/l, mean: 0.56mg/l), Cu (range: 0.05-0.50mg/l, mean: 0.21mg/l), NO₃^- (range: 50-83 mg/l, mean: 65mg/l) and Coliform count (30-78 per 100ml) are all above WHO standard limit for drinking water, especially downstream of industrial and populated areas. The water from River Benue requires treatment for these parameters before drinking.

KEY WORDS: River Benue, physico-chemical analysis, bacteriological analysis, standard value, Coliform count.

Global Journal of Geological Sciences Vol.3(1) 2005: 45-48