Comparative relationship between the water quality parameters and standard for drinking in Jibia Dam, Katsina State

Abstract

A study was conducted on the water quality of Jibia Dam to evaluate its suitability for human consumption. The research aimed to compare the water quality parameters of the dam with international drinking water standards. Poor monitoring of water quality could result in pollution and pose significant health risks. Water samples were collected from three locations during the wet and dry seasons of 2019/2020, and 13 parameters were analyzed using standard laboratory methods. These parameters included temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, turbidity, total hardness, chloride, nitrate, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand, ammonia, nickel, and lead. The study found that the mean values of the parameters were as follows: temperature (26.81°C), pH (6.99), electrical conductivity (116.95 µS/cm), total dissolved solids (96.52 mg/L), turbidity (30.60 NTU), total hardness (196.83 mg/L), chloride (96.15 mg/L), nitrate (13.41 mg/L), dissolved oxygen (62.04 mg/L), biological oxygen demand (45.93 mg/L), ammonia (11.93 mg/L), nickel (0.24 mg/L), and lead (0.13 mg/L). Among these, total hardness had the highest mean value (196.83 mg/L), while lead had the lowest (0.13 mg/L). The study also revealed that 46.15% of the parameters, including temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, chloride, turbidity, and nitrate, met international drinking water standards. The findings highlight the need for further research on additional physicochemical parameters, particularly heavy metals, that were not included in this study. This will provide a more comprehensive assessment of the water quality in Jibia Dam.